CD Review: Ensemble Tirana's 'The Bridge That Links Time'

Ensemble Tirana
The Bridge That Links Time
Frea Records

The polyphonic a capella group, Ensemble Tirana, hails from Albania, but their influence is deeply rooted in Balkan life and society. The new album contains over one hour of music over eighteen tracks. The songs are mostly instrumental with only minor accompaniment on flute and cifteli stringed instrument. Founded in 1994, the group contains tenor, baritone, and bass-baritone vocal arrangements. The six-member group is comprised of Nazo Celaj, Hyso Xhaferaj, Dionis Delia, Edmond Lila, Luan Sula, and Ervin Kastrati. The music incorporates historical chants from the seventeenth century. Anyone familiar with polyphonic singing will find enjoyment in the vocal tracks, while others will be yearning for more instrumental prowess. However, the vocals are great and present a great historical story for a modern era. At any rate, Ensemble Tirana inspires all to take a listen. Ensemble Tirana is the bridge that links the past with the present. ~ 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: Norway Meets Iran with Skruk & Mahsa Vahdat

Skruk & Mahsa Vahdat

I vinens speil (In The Mirror of Wine)

Kirkelig Kulturverksted

Norway's Skruk choir and Iran's Mahsa Vahdat create symphonic songs of poetry from Sufi poets Rumi and Hafez. The songs are presented in Persian and Norwegian. The Sufi poets often combined elements of Islam, Christianity, and Zoroastrianism in their poetic works. I vinens speil draws upon the same religious influences mentioned above and it was also recorded in a Norwegian church. The mix of light percussion, bass, and piano are a perfect companion to the beautiful choral melodies and Mahsa's voice. Mahsa's angelic voice on the opening track, "Gleden Ved Ditt Kyss", sets the stage for the rest of the album. The piano is never overtly intrusive. Anyone with an interest in hauntingly beautiful church melodies, classical music, and world jazz will find the most satisfaction with Skruk & Mahsa Vahdat. Liner notes include Norwegian and Persian song translations. ~ Matthew Forss