CD Review: Ljom's 'Seterkauk'

Ljom
Seterkauk
Kirkelig Kulturverksted 

The Norwegian-based group, Ljom, releases their newest album, Seterkauk, which concentrates its energy on cow call songs from Norway's past and present. The swirling songs are steeped in romantic folk rhythms and melodies with spritely vocals and heady arrangements. The group employs a bass, guitar, cello, piano, synth, clarinet, and other instruments, but the voice is the real instrument. Kjerst Kveli is the chief vocalist with a stark ability to evoke tons of emotion packed into a single verse. There is even a sweeping piano tune, "Bennykauken," that contains a bit of a jazzy elegance. At any rate, Ljom presents us with an interesting, relaxing, and contemporary journey into the cow call songs of Norway with ever having to leave our house. Well, you might have to leave at least once to buy the album, unless you get it online. High praise for folk, jazz, and new age sounds from yet another fine release on KKV. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Susanne Lundeng & Engegardkvartetten's 'Et Steg Ut'

Susanne Lundeng & Engegardkvartetten
Et Steg Ut
Kirkelig Kulturverksted

Norway's traditional and contemporary violinist, fiddler, nyckelharpist, and composer, Susanne Lundeng, brings in the Engegard Quartet for a truly neo-classical and folk-inspired arrangement. Susanne plays the violin on all eight tracks and the Quartet add their own talented string compositions for a very airy, authentic, and emotive result. The only vocal track is "Verdensveier," where Susanne lends her Norwegian vocals for a truly Nordic experience. The slow tune is a respite from the rather uppity compositions. There are spritely melodies, somber elements, and magical moments that found throughout the new album. Fans of string music, folk music, Scandinavian music, and neo-classical arrangements will love Et Steg Ut, which means, "a step out." ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Solfrid Molland's 'Musikken er mit fedreland'

Solfrid Molland
Musikken er mit fedreland
KKV

Norway's Solfrid Molland is a talented vocalist, accordionist, and pianist with an ear for European, Scandinavian, and gypsy rhythms and melodies. Solfrid's new album attempts to highlight the Roma music genre of gypsy with regards to Norway's influence. Solfrid is joined by Gheorgie Vasile, Valentin Vasile, Ion Cantaragiu Rasturnel, Gjermund Silset, Lars Tormod Jenset, and a choir. The heart-felt violin pulls at the heart-strings, but it is very fitting. The gypsy rhythms are rich and moving. The instruments come together in a whirling fashion to create a mesmerizing, instrumental interplay between vocals and heritage. The neo-classical, world fusion, balkan jazz, and gypsy melodies makes the album shine with memorable sounds. Anyone interested in gypsy music and Norwegian music will love Solfrid's Musikken er mit fedreland. ~ Matthew Forss  

CD Review: SKRUK's 'Sangen fra Katakombene'

SKRUK
Sangen fra Katakombene
KKV

SKRUK is a Norwegian choir that presents a collection of liturgical songs sung in Norwegian. There are also vocals from monks in Turkish monasteries. Per Oddvar Hildre is the conductor for the album, while Siyavush Karimi and Henning Sommerro are talented arrangers. The entire album is vocal without any instrumentation; except for a lone duduk played a couple times. There are twenty spiritual tracks that are heavenly and haunting in the same manner. The spiritual roots of the music originate from the early, primitive church and historical roots with the Syrian Orthodox Church. The alternating male and female vocals are great without any slip-ups. Many of the songs are one to four minutes long, but a couple are five to six minutes. In the end, it doesn't matter how long the songs last. The songs have lasted hundreds of years and will continue to inspire people around the world. Fans of choral and vocal music will rejoice with high marks. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Rim Banna's 'Revelation Of Ecstasy And Rebellion'

Rim Banna
Revelation Of Ecstasy And Rebellion
KKV

Palestine's gifted vocalist, Rim Banna, brings us a poetic display of musicianship with guests: Eivind Aarseth, Bugge Wesseltoft, Jihed Khmiri, Kays Zorrouk, Mohamed Ben Salha, Ossama Bishara, Ramsis Kassis, Mr. Kaz, and Shrikant Shriram. The entire project is rather laid-back with sounds emanating from guitars, piano, keyboards, percussion, oriental cello, flute, qanun, oud, and bass. The result is a vocal and instrumental album that represents a Pan-Arabic approach with new age nuances that are not as electric as Azam Ali. Each track flutters with rich melodies and transient sounds that are contemplative, cultural, and nostalgic. There are twelve tracks in all that reveal something new and fresh with each repeated listen. It is no secret there are beautiful revelations contained throughout. The light percussion, wafting vocals, and emotive deliveries are remarkable and represent a pinnacle, career achievement--thus far. Anyone familiar with Rim should check this out. All others will not be disappointed. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Various Artists' 'Norge, Mitt Norge...?'

Various Artists
Norge, Mitt Norge...?
KKV

The national identity of Norway is preserved, yet reinvented, with historical songs made anew for today's generation. However, the songs are still folk centered and light pop with equal doses of classical and jazz. The title is translated as 'Norway, My Norway.' The music is arranged by Valkyrien Allstars, but Moddi, Aissa Tobi, Trond Granlund, Viggo Sandvik, Osla Fagottkor, Sudan Dudan, and Solveig Slettahjell have their hand in the mix, too. The thirteen track release is largely a folk music compilation that was recorded in an old Parliamentary room in Oslo, where the concept of Norway as an independent state was decided between 1814 and 1854. The music contains fiddles, drums, bright vocals, bass, and horns. The melody of "Deilig er Norden," resembles "Beautiful Savior"--a popular Christian hymn. Anyone with an interest in folk music from Scandinavia will love this one. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Mahsa Vahdat & Mighty Sam McClain's 'Love Duets Across Civilizations - A Deeper Tone Of Longing'

Mahsa Vahdat & Mighty Sam McClain
Love Duets Across Civilizations - A Deeper Tone Of Longing
KKV

Iran's Mahsa Vahdat and America's Mighty Sam McClain bring us a new album of musical poetry inspired by the poetry of Mohammad Ibrahim Jafari and Erik Hillestad. The music is bluesy and classical with both Farsi and English vocals. The instruments are varied, including acoustic/electric guitars, Fender Rhodes, harmonica, piano, trumpet, ney, kamancheh, vibes, and double bass. The session songs are more adventurous and textured than previous releases from Mahsa Vahdat. Nevertheless, the contemporary music arrangements on "When You Came" are rooted in blues, jazz, and Central Asian music. The nine other tracks are a mix of soul blues and Central Asian music, which is a treat, as it is very well-composed with a favorable, long-lasting result. In short, two acclaimed and talented musicians bring us an album that is worth listening to over and over again. You will love it! ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Mahsa & Marjan Vahdat's 'Twinklings Of Hope'

Mahsa & Marjan Vahdat
Twinklings Of Hope
KKV

Mahsa & Marjan Vahdat are back at it again with poems, lullabies, and folk songs from Persia and backed by the ney, setar, daf, percussion, and vocals. The Persian melodies are folkish and evocative. The end result is a classical approach to Persian sensibilities. The instrumentation works together quite well with all of the instruments showcasing their brilliant qualities equally. There are poems by Hafez, Rumi, Hooshang Ebtehaj, Mohammad Jafari, Attar, and Esfehani. There are eleven tracks in all. Fans of Azeri, Persian, Central Asian, Middle Eastern, and classical music will love the music of Mahsa & Marjan Vahdat. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Kenya's Suzanna Owiyo

Suzanna Owiyo

My Roots

Kirkelig Kulturverksted

Kenya's Suzanna Owiyo is a percussionist, guitarist, singer, and most importantly, a nyatiti player. A nyatiti is an eight-stringed, plucked lyre from Kenya. The nyatiti was a mainstay in the Benga music movement in Kenya beginning in the 1960's. It is related to the krar, which is a five-stringed, plucked lyre from Ethiopia. My Roots' opening track showcases the nyatiti's mesmerizing sound similar to a combination of an electrified harp with the buzzing sounds of the mbira. Her Luo and English lyrics tackle alcoholism, violence, abandonment, and faith. Her voice is as strong as Angelique Kidjo (Benin) and as sensitive as Rokia Traore (Senegal). Drawing upon comparisons throughout Africa, My Roots is more than a contemporary Afro-pop album with a crystal clear sound; it is a groundbreaking release that features an instrument never-before-played by women. A few guest musicians appear, such as Zimbabwe's Oliver Mtukudzi, Ogoya Nengo, and Makadem. Fans of East African popular music will find My Roots a very satisfying experience. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: A Time To Cry - A Lament Over Jerusalem

Various Artists

A Time To Cry: A Lament Over Jerusalem

Kirkelig Kulturverksted

Recorded in a Palestinian home in East Jerusalem, A Time To Cry... showcases some traditional and new folk songs from the region. The songs touch on the political turmoil and social rights between the Palestinians and the Israelis. The Palestinian repertoire includes Rim Banna, Wissam Murad, Nai Barghouthi and Jawaher Shofani. The Palestinian singers mentioned above are also joined by a Norwegian collective, including Kenneth Ekornes (drums), Gjermund Silset (bass), Hallgrim Bratberg (guitar), and U.S. flutist and clarinetist, Steve Gorn. The laments are deeply emotional and ethereal in sound. The folk tunes are a light fusion between Persian classical music, Arabic folk music, and bluesy-pop. Fans of other KKV releases will find comfort in the words and music of A Time To Cry... It is not too often a Palestinian music release surfaces globally, which makes it even more invaluable to Middle Eastern music fans. A treasured album of music. Liner notes are in English and Arabic. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: The Three Wise Men From Iran, Norway, and Turkey

The Three Wise Men (Tre Vise Menn)

The Three Wise Men

Kirkelig Kulturverksted

The Three Wise Men are Mathias Eick from Norway on trumpet, piano, vibes, bass, and percussion; Ertan Tekin from Turkey on duduk flute; and Pasha Hanjani from Iran on ney flute. In celebration of the Christmas season, The Three Wise Men play wholly instrumental tunes from various traditions, including German, Scandinavian, French, English, Sicilian, Norwegian and Palestinian. More familiar tunes include "O Come, O Come, Immanuel", "Hark The Herald Angels Sing", "Silent Night", and "O Little Town of Bethlehem". All of the tracks are very easy to listen to. They are musically invigorating and reflective pieces of history. It's a perfect example of what happens when cultures come together for a common cause. In fact, this is Kirkelig Kulturverksted's philosophy on musical production from the start. This is an ideal album for Christmas gatherings, theatrical productions, family functions, and anyone who relishes instrumental Christmas works. ~ Matthew Forss