Taking their name from an ancient Celtic harvest festival, L佖asa are a veritable dream team of Irish musicians whose thrilling groove is found courtesy of former members of the Waterboys and Sharon Shannon's band, on cello, bowed upright bass, and acoustic guitar. Melodies, both poignant and frolicsome, soar on the exceptional wings of fiddle, flute, whistles, and Uilleann pipes. From the warm belly of Celtic tradition, the quartet (rounded out by guest players and piper-whistler Cillian Vallely, a touring member) radiates outward, incorporating elements of jazz improvisation as it swings low and wide, high and tight, delving wholeheartedly into each piece's unique rhythmic pulse. Otherworld, in the unprecedented vernacular of L佖asa, is nothing short of astonishing. --Paige La Grone