This English folk supergroup is led by Martin Carthy and John Kirkpatrick, key members of the major folk acts of the 1960s and 1970s - Steeleye Span, the Richard Thompson Band, the Waterson's & the Albion Band. Brass Monkey's "deep English sound" - brass and percussion arranged with acoustic folk instruments - is totally unique, giving them an identity all their own. "Flame of Fire" is a technical tour de force and a fantastic collection of songs and tunes, some of which go back to John Playford's "English Dancing Master" of 1651. This gives the album a crossover appeal to lovers of classical and early music without betraying it's earthy folk roots.