It is my great and rare pleasure to introduce a new regional Celtic supergroup. Llangres are to the Iberian Peninsula's Asturies what Altan are to Ireland's County Donegal.

Asturies is an ancient Celtic country in the Atlantic Finisterres. Llangres promotes the ancient music of that land as part of the area's cultural rebirth. Some of the members are affiliated with Sama´s Conservatoire, and all are deeply versed in their tradition. Hector Braga (on mandolin, fiddle, and cello) founded the band. Joining him are Yago Prado (harp, acustic guitar, and bass pedal), Viriu Fernandez (bodhran), Borja Baragano (asturian bagpipe and uilleann pipes), and David Martin (flute). Several superb guest musicians assist as well.

"Ca La Zarramica" kicks off the CD with a pair of lively dance tunes of a form known as the munera. "Ca La Piesca" follows, based on pensive and hypnotic harping. These songs were named after houses that were important to the band's recording experience. This is largely an instrumental collection, but there are two songs. Marta Elola sings "Deva," which carries hints of Moorish influence, while the harp and flute paint moonlit seascapes behind the vocals of Xose Ambas on "El Retornu."

Several other tracks deserve special mention. Borja cuts loose with the pipes on "Cornamuses." "Llangres," a set named for the band, is a collection of ancient middle European tunes played on the rebec, which is a pear-bodied Renaissance era fiddle. The CD's title is based on a tune penned by Hector, "Stura," the root of the word Asturies meaning "river."

David's flute solo on "Stura" is worth the price of the CD, and is in the same league as Kevin Crawford's flute compositions in the band Lunasa.

Stura belongs in every Celtic CD collection. The music is first-rate and opens a window to one of Europe's oldest traditions. It's a significant step in a cultural movement to preserve and expand the heritage of the Asturian region. Although the CD is self-produced, the recording is of excellent quality, and the cover art rivals anything that the major labels have put out. Let's hope that Llangres get sufficient support from listeners like us to justify a world tour soon!