Dragonsfly is focussed around the songwriting and multi-instrumental talents of Maya Preece and Daygan Robinson. Their music draws on global folk music with a particular emphasis on medieval dance traditions. Their performance of these traditional tunes has a pleasing authenticity and attention to detail, which goes down well with folk dance fans.

The songs are what really make Dragonsfly stand out from the crowd, bringing a level of meaning and joyful celebration of life into their performances. For those of you who don't know Maya has one of the most powerful and enchanting voices ever, counterpointed by Daygan's characterful broad north midland tones.

The cd opens with 'Tor Dion' - a catchy fourteenth century french dance tune with Wal and Brian Gulland vamping medieval continuo in the background. Maya has been accused of having a captivating touch of Edith Piaf in her vocal style in this performance. This is followed up with a Daygan Robinson song 'Green Machine', combining Daygan's distinctive vocals with instrumental contributions on the oboe from the Gulland and Matt Tweed pinning it down on the bass. Altogether a wonderful arrangement of almost classical proportions.

Track 3 features Wal to the fore and demonstrates his flair as a fantastic fiddler and folk arranger of two classic cumbrian tunes. Then we are transported back to C16th France for a Scots Branle. One of the delightful and distinctive features of Dragonsfly gigs is the way these tunes are combined with the dance workshops, It's quite an experience to be swept away by the crowd in medieval pattern dances, one wonders why it ever fell out of fashion.

The River (704K) is a song that clearly speaks to many people's hearts judging by the number of Dragonsfly fans who know all the words to this song. Described as 'most evocative' by one reviewer it's certainly one of the most powerful musical affirmations, and you'll be singing it in your head for weeks, be warned.

Wal takes us back up to Cumbria for 'Kendal Gill/Bonnie Cumberland' driven by Daygan's mandolin rhythms. 'Lu Cont Arnau' is an occitan song with beautiful rather monkish sounding harrmonies, and a very authentic sounding instrumental burden featuring recorder and crumhorn. 'Pottingshed pixies' is an original tune from Wal with an amazingly innovative organic drum'n'bass arrangement. This is followed with 'Ambee Dagheets' a traditional Armenian tune which Maya carries off vocally with utter conviction backed up joyfully by the whole band. Another round of Branles leads us hypnotically on to the final tune, Daygan's Dreams in Wishes (734K) - a String Band style pixie funk number. Daygan's energetic positivity engages the whole band in an extended improvised finale.

Dragonsfly manage to combine a wide miscellany of instrumentation with great economy of style, producing a clear, funky, joyful, life affirming message. Altogether this cd is a brilliant collection of tunes and songs. A Classic.