The Twelve Pins

This instrumental trio of Peter Browne (accordion), Lucas González (guitar) and Robbie Harris (hand percussion) begin their first album with a flamenco flourish of pert guitar riffs and bustling clapping, which leads into a Balkan-style accordion solo. It is in some ways a misleading opening. While Bully's Acre's music has a variety of international folk flavours that are threaded right through this record – principally by Argentinian guitarist González – the dominating ingredient here is Irish music. Compositions by Michael McGoldrick, Billy McComiskey and Charlie Lennon sit alongside trad tunes such as ‘Buí Bán’, a taut, riff-led dance that shows off Browne's remarkably spry accordion playing.

Indeed, though González and Harris are equal partners in creating the whip-smart rhythmic propulsion of the group, it is Browne's playing that brings this album alive. On tracks such as ‘The Commodore’ and the closing title-track, his playing is joyful in its controlled abandon. The only time he sounds anything less than on top form is on sultry tango ‘Sal de Mar’, where his solo does not have the same sense of onward drive as elsewhere. Overall, this is a very fine debut.