Lilt had been in business for 10 years when the duo's album X was released. The recording -- some 40 jigs, reels and other tunes comprising 16 tracks -- is a fine example of Irish traditional music well played.

The music is tightly arranged and presented with both energy and polish. If you like Irish dance music, you'll enjoy this recording.

Lilt is Tina Eck on flute and tin whistle, and Keith Carr on bouzouki, banjo and mandolin.

Joining the pair on X are a number of guests, most for just one or two tracks each. They are Donna Long on piano, Bill McComiskey on accordion, Sean Heely, Peri Leighty and Philippe Varlet on fiddle, Jim Stickley on bodhran, Zan McLeod and Josh Dukes on guitar, Seth Kibel on clarinet (nice touch!) and Kate Bole on steps.

There aren't a lot of surprises here -- Eck and Carr are solid musicians who know their way around a tune and perform it with skill. Albums such as this belong in the collections of anyone who likes the genre.