Celtic music trailblazers Capercaillie celebrate 40 years with the release of ReLoved, their new symphonic double album featuring the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra with arrangements by Greg Lawson, Donald Shaw and Kate St John. Running to over 70 minutes, these compelling orchestrated versions beautifully encapsulates the spirit of Capercaillie’s repertoire – with strident waulking songs collected from the Hebrides, hypnotic groove infused instrumentals that draw on traditional forms of jigs, reels and eastern rhythms, and modern ballads and poignant love songs.

The dates in the title of this retrospective may seem a bit strange (you'd expect them to be arranged from earliest to latest), but in fact they accurately reflect the presentation of the material on this program, which begins with three selections from Capercaillie's most recent album (2004's Choice Language) and ends with one from their 1984 debut. In between are offered two-discs' worth of live recordings, 12" single mixes, and album tracks from the band's 20-year career – an excellent overview of Capercaillie's frequently thrilling work that contains just enough rare and previously-unreleased material to tempt fans who already own most or all of the albums. Fronted by the sweet-voiced Karen Matheson, Capercaillie has always been unusually successful in its attempt to wed traditional Celtic songs and tunes to modern technology, alternating between straight-up trad fare ("Snuff Wife Jigs," "Rob Roy Reels") and Celtic-influenced pop songs ("Grace and Pride," "Waiting for the Wheel to Turn") with the occasional excursion into Irish/East European fusion ("Co Nu Mire Rium?") or disco-flavored mouth music ("Finlays") along the way. Very highly recommended.