CD Review: Folkbeat RF's 'In Mixt'

Folkbeat RF
In Mixt
Sketis Music

The vocal quartet, Folkbeat RF, features the music of four Russian women, Svetlana Ivanova, Maria Zibrova, Svetlana Shestopalova, and Alyona Minulina on an incredible, contemporary release, In Mixt. The vocal harmonies are a bit like Finland's Varttina in parts, while some of the more popular arrangements are evocative of urban beatbox. However, the beatbox stylings are very appropriate and intriguing. There is a historic quality to the vocals, which stems from the ancient Russian influences. Sacred and choral music of Europe can be heard as a strong influence here. There are various electronic programming touches that bring about a new age and alternative presence. The songs are based on folkloric foundations, but the contemporary appeal reaches across genres and geographic boundaries with tunes that everyone can relate to. Fans of Russian vocal music, rap, dance, folktronica, and world fusion will find In Mixt to be a 'mixt' bag of wholly likable hits! No complaints here. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Opycham's 'new-age.om'

Opycham
new-age.om
Sketis Music

Opycham's latest release, new.age.om, was recorded in Tuva, which is spearheaded by drummer and percussionist, Rasputin (of Yat-Kha-fame). The meditative and monastic eight-track release celebrates various religions including Russian faiths, Buddhism, and Shamanism. The album contains a backdrop of various rain sounds, fire, birds, insects, and water-flows for a very earthy element. The pensive instrumentation is rather light and alternative and comprises the cello, djumbush (like a Turkish tanbur), guitar, and hand-percussion. The music is vocal, but very entrancing overall. The subtle inflections of earthy elements and hypnotic vocals make Opycham's latest release well-worth a listen. Fans of shamanic, alternative, new age, Russian folk, and European music will love it. It's a great way to unwind! ~ Matthew Forss  

CD Review: The Dolomites' 'Japan Years Volumes I, II, & III'

The Dolomites
Japan Years Volumes I, II, & III [3-CD]
Alien Arts Alliance

The Dolomites, led by Stevhen Koji Baianu, create stirring melodies and rhythms caught between the past and the future by incorporating a mix of influences from Japanese enka to gypsy, Balkan-inspired tunes, and Latin-American cumbia. Confused yet? Need not be. The group, which consists of nearly 70 members from different areas of the globe, celebrates the best of their work in a three-volume EP set comprised of certain years, such as 2006-2009, 2007-2010, and 2006-2010. Each album contains five tracks for approximately twenty-minutes an album. There is a mix of music on each album, but all of it draws upon electronica, cumbia, folk, roots, Balkan, Gypsy, neo-classical, enka, horn-powered ballads, and quirky, percussive renderings throughout. Stevhen's vocals are ruddy and charismatic with similarities to darker Russian folk groups or even ErsatzMusika from Germany. Moreover, the album art should clue you in that this is going to be an interesting ride. For instance, the Jamiroquai or Batman-influenced silhouette artwork on the back of the albums should alert everyone that this is a unique production. Though, some of the vocals are a little rough, out of tune, or drunk-like in nature, but that does not make it a terrible listen. In fact, anyone seeking unique, world music with numerous geographic influences will find The Dolomites solid as a rock (pun intended). ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Vasily Evhimovich's 'Hurdy Gurdy, Accordion, and Vasily Evhimovich'

Vasily Evhimovich
Hurdy Gurdy, Accordion, and Vasily Evhimovich
Sketis Music

Vasily Evhimovich is a talented vocalist, accordion player, and hurdy-gurdy specialist on his latest recording, Hurdy Gurdy, Accordion, and Vasily Evhimovich. Vasily brings in a few other vocalists for acapella singing. Most of the time, Vasily plays the accordion or hurdy-gurdy along with the vocal segments. Based on the Volga River, Vasily recorded the album in his studio workshop. The folk songs originate from the Oka River region, as well as Belgorod, Northern Russia, Siberia, and Tatarstan. The drone of the accordion or hurdy-gurdy provide contemplative and entrancing moments between purely vocal parts. Over seventy-minutes of music and nineteen songs round out the album. The song titles are translated in Russian and English on the album back. Fans of Russian vocal music, folk music, and traditional instruments will find it most satisfying. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Stranniki's 'Light Moon'

Stranniki
Light Moon
Sketis Music

Stranniki is a Russian folk group that resurrects Slavic folklore songs by utilizing an array of folk music instruments and ancient melodies. The vocals are often arranged like chants with several singers singing at once in a choral fashion. The result is a sound akin to Finland's Varttina. The instruments are performed in a very artistic manner by paying close attention to historic styles and folk arrangements. Besides vocals, there is a gusli, okarina, jaleika, whistle, bansuri, bawu, kalyuka, quena, kaval, gajde, guitar, bass, drums, and assorted percussion. The contemporary instruments are a great companion to the traditional instruments. Each tune is fresh and inventive. There are only forty-two minutes of music on the album, but it is never boring. Fans of folk music, Slavic and Russian vocal music, traditional instruments, and contemporary Russian music will love the history presented by Stranniki. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Baraka's Double-Disc 'Shams'

Baraka
Shams [2-CD]
Sketis Music

The Latvian band, Baraka, brings us a double-disc release of music celebrating the contemporary styles of Tajikistan. However, the music incorporates the help of Latvian, Russian, Tajiki, Lebanese, Nepalese, and Afghani musicians for a truly world music result. The Farsi or Tajiki vocals are used sparingly in ballads, folk songs, and jazzy songs throughout. There is a strong element of world jazz and lounge music, but some of the songs incorporate more of a Middle Eastern vein. Nevertheless, there is something for everyone here--from hip hop vocals to swaying jazz and funky Tajiki melodies. The songs are all very solid compositions with clear vocals and instrumental splendor. There are some traditional instruments, including the iconic dutar, setor, rubab, sitar, duduk, dilraba, and saz. The contemporary sounds stem from keyboards, guitars, bass, piano, and horns. Baraka does a great job blending the past with the present by not resorting to ho-hum melodies and rhythms, but rather bringing to life various instruments and styles indigenous to the Central Asian Republics, the Middle East, and Western Europe and Russia. Nearly two-hours of music are included with liner notes. ~ Matthew Forss  

CD Review: The Grass Harp's 2-CD Self-Release

The Grass Harp
The Grass Harp [2-CD]
Sketis Music

The folk music of Western Russia is diverse from a vocal and instrumental perspective. The Grass Harp proves music is a thing of beauty with the release of their new double-CD, self-titled album. There are Finno-Ugric leanings to to the music, as well as musical styles from Moldavian, German, Russian, and West African regions. Stefan Charisius is a teacher and composer with playing abilities on the kora, as well as Maria Korepanova on vocals, Matthia Schneider-Hollek on computer programming, Andrej Mikhajlov on percussion and wind instruments, Leonid Immenich on accordion, and Sergej Misjurev on other instruments. The blend of delicate rhythms, melodies, and instrumental interactions are beautiful, improvisational, and historic. It seems as if the music from centuries ago comes alive throughout both album discs in a very organic and trouble-free manner. There are metallic sounds, crystalline noises, and animal-like sounds that emanate from the various instruments. The vocal traditions are definitely of the folk music variety with various chants and tunes presented in a rather abrupt and solid way. Fans of Russian folk, Finno-Ugric musical styles, vocal traditions, shamanic styles, and music with a sort of fusion backbone will love The Grass Harp. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Algambra's Self-Titled Release

Algambra
Algambra
Sketis Music

Algambra is a Russian music group with a knack for improvisational and instrumental styles that incorporate South Asian, Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, and contemporary forms of fusion in one exciting package. The primary instrument is the hang, which is a metallic idiophone in the shape of a UFO that is played with hands and it is an instrument that was invented only fifteen years ago in Switzerland. The hang sounds are multi-faceted and sound similar to the udu, ghatam, and steel pan instruments. The sounds are fluid and softer than a steel pan, but a great accompaniment for the other instruments on the album, including the harp, cello, caisa, guitar, and assorted percussion. The album is mostly instrumental; except for "Made In India." The music is sparkling, bubbling, and entrancing with new age, improvisational, and avant-garde arrangements that are very likable and a welcome addition to and world music percussion collection. If anything, buy it for the hang. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Vasily Vecher's 'Siberia Land - Russian Traditional Songs Of The Western Siberia'

Vasily Vecher
Siberia Land - Russian Traditional Songs Of The Western Siberia
Sketis Music

Named after St. Basil's Day Eve, one of the most popular Russian traditional feasts, Vasily Vecher perform and study the culture of Western Siberia's peasant culture from the 16th to 18th centuries. The music contained herein is purely vocal without any instrumental accompaniment. Anyone interested in world chants, liturgical compositions, European folk music, and Slavic singing traditions, in addition to Siberian and Russian musical styles, will love it. The entire album is nearly fifty-five minutes long. It is a mix of solo and group vocal accompaniment. The songs are sung in Russian with English title translations on the back cover. There are Cyrillic Russian notes and lyrics throughout the liner booklet. This is a great ethnomusicological recording of historic significance, since it highlights the musical and vocal traditions of a bygone-era, but it is produced in a contemporary time. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Artem Uzunov's 'Let's Do It - Darbuka Stories'

Artem Uzunov
Let's Do It - Darbuka Stories
Sketis Music

This is a percussionist's dream. Artem Uzunov brings out the best of percussion utilizing a host of instruments in his repertoire, including the darbuka, dhol, cajon, dohola, bendir, riq, sagats, duduk, brazilian percussion, and guitar. There are twenty-one tracks with heart-pounding, bellydance-moving, and toe-tapping compositions that are primarily instrumental with only a few indiscriminate vocals thrown in. Each song is typically three to four-minutes long. The combination of darbuka and assorted instruments provides a more complex and deep rhythm section that is never boring or dull.  Some tunes are more involved musically than others, but that doesn't make the others less important. Fans of darbuka percussion, Arabic music, Middle Eastern music, and instrumental tunes will love Artem Uzunov's latest release. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Vozvraschenie's 'Spring Land'

Vozvraschenie
Spring Land 
Sketis Music

The best in contemporary Russian rock 'n' roll is alive and well in Vozvraschenie's newest release, Spring Land. The eleven-track release contains heady vocals and gorgeous rock melodies with guitars, bass, percussion, and assorted instrumentation of ocarina, igil, jaw-harp, mandolin, virtual instruments, and others. It is rare every song on an album is great, but Spring Land proves it's possible. From the opening, driving melody of "Kapel" to the Celtic-rock and punk-inspired sounds of "Skomoroshya Dolya," Vozvraschenie is comfortable in any genre and style. However, rock and pop sounds are the primary influence here. There are a few displays of rock guitar splendor, but Vozvraschenie do their best to stick to solid, catchy rock grooves that are unforgettable. "Kapel" and "Zodchy" are two of the best tracks of any artist in any genre to come out this year. The mix of guitars, flute sounds, assorted strings, and the buzzing, electric bagpipe effects of the zhaleyka aerophone on "Zodchy" are definitely worthwhile. All the songs are in Russian. However, every song is excellent irregardless of language barriers. Anyone into Russian folk/rock will love it. One of the best recordings of 2014. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Various Artists' 'Kyzyl-Moscow III'

Various Artists
Kyzyl-Moscow III
Sketis Music

This collection of Tuvan throat-singing music spans twenty tracks and numerous, well-known artists from the region. You will hear the Tuvan Ensemble, Eduard Damdyn, Vadim Oorzhak, Ayas Kuular, Evgeny Saryglar, and Mai-ool Sedip. There are sung melodies, as well a throat singing accompaniment throughout. There are plenty of traditional instruments backing the vocals, including the igil, chanzy, kengirge, dungur, byzaanchi, and doshpuluur. These instruments are various percussion and string accompaniments that accentuate the gritty and soaring vocals. Kyzyl-Moscow is actually a festival held every year in Moscow since 2004. It was organized by George Arat Beletsky--a talented producer, musician, and music promoter. Anyone interested in the effervescent melodies of Tuvan instrumental music and throat-singing styles should check out Kyzyl-Moscow III. Very listenable. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Avis Dei's 'Early European Dance'

Avis Dei
Early European Dance
Sketis Music

Russia's Avis Dei produces an exciting album of very early music that is instrumental and steeped in the 15th and 16th centuries. This form of Middle Ages or Renaissance music contains traditional instrumentation from the bagpipes, mandolin, assorted percussion, recorders, cittern, cello, and others. The fanciful delivery is very moving and pleasant. The music stems from English, Italian, and Belgium ancestries. There are nineteen great songs that showcase the dance sounds of the Middle Ages. A fan of Renaissance fairs, Middle Ages history, and early classical music will appreciate the music contained herein. However, the music is so accessible that anyone will appreciate its inner and outer beauty. The Middle Ages have been known as a dark period with little innovation and new discoveries. Though, Avis Dei proves the Middle Ages can be a fun time with Early European Dance. Liner notes are in English and Russian. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Dmitry Novokolsky and Yury Krivoshein's 'That Job Is Over'

Dmitry Novokolsky and Yury Krivoshein
That Job Is Over
Sketis Music

Lead singer, guitarist, harmonica player, and percussionist, Dmitry Novokolsky, joins Yury Krivoshein--another talented guitarist with bass, keyboard, and programming skills. The Russian duo perform English-lyric songs with an Americana, bluegrass, country, and folk edge. The thirteen songs feel more like an American experiment than a truly Russian compilation. At any rate, the swinging, bluesy, and folksy tunes are catchy, classy, and creative. Some of the songs include "Cotton Joe From New Orleans," "Still A Rambler," "Gimme Some Gumbo," "This Blues Is Real," and "That Job Is Over." It is easy to see why fans of classic Americana music will love it. Hopefully, others will love it, too. This is the way country music should sound. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Yagoda Galo's 'Polar'

Yagoda Galo
Polar
Sketis Music

Based in Arkhangelsk, Russia--Russia's northwest region on the White Sea, Yagoda Galo performs folk, traditional, and original compositions from all around the North and in Russian lyrics. The eleven-track release contains some of the most beautiful and innovative Russian folk music ever recorded. The ensemble utilizes various instruments, including the didgeridoo, acoustic guitar, domra, mandolin, flute, clarinet, bongo, djembe, jew's harp, drums, bass guitar, and a few others. The result is a complex mix of songs that are vocally and instrumentally-rich. Many of the songs resemble early European or Scandinavian sea-faring songs, but these contain a Russian edge. At any rate, "By The Sea," "Far Away," and "Dreamboat" contain the most sea-faring elements. The best track on the album is probably "Around The Town." This track contains an extremely catchy melody and killer instrumental bridge at the end of the song. If you had to hear one song before you died; this would be it. I would not hesitate placing in the top ten best world music song list of all time. Polar combines the vocal/instrumental traditions of the Cold North, but presents us with the inner warmth of feel-good rhythms and melodies that shine beyond borders...and expectations. Polar is one of the best albums of music anywhere and at any time. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Morpheus Hang's 'Listening In The Dark'

Morpheus Hang
Listening In The Dark
Sketis Music

Yuri Rubin (aka Morpheus Hang) is a Russian composer and performer on the hang and steel drum. The hang is an instrument currently only made in Bern, Switzerland that is an idiophone played with fingers and hands. It is a UFO-shaped steel sheets welded together as two discs. The instrument is played on the lap in both horizontal and vertical positions. The sound is quite indicative of the steel pan, but that is typically brighter in tone. The hang is more muted in tone, which adds a kind of bass sound to the songs. There are no additional instruments or vocals on the eight tracks that range over forty-minutes in length. The tonal qualities overall are very contemplative and meditative. The hang is very dreamy and melodic. Yuri succeeds with Listening In The Dark. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Yungchen Lhamo and Anton Batagov's 'Tayatha'

Yungchen Lhamo and Anton Batagov
Tayatha
Cantaloupe Music

Tibet's golden voice, Yungchen Lhamo, joins forces with Russia's post-minimalist pianist, Anton Batagov. The two unlikely paired up to form a unique blend of Buddhist devotional and folk music with equal pairings of classical and jazz. The rather minimalist recording does not include many instruments, as the human voice takes the lead. The piano melodies are rather reduced and soft. There are seven total tracks on the album. Many of the songs are over eight minutes long. The long songs tend to enrapture listeners into a devotional trance that is angelic and melodic in the same manner. The spacious rhythms and melodies reflect an Inner Asian and Russian ambiance. Anyone familiar with yoga music, Tibetan chants, religious vocal music, Russian piano music, and world fusion from this part of the world will love Yungchen's long-awaited follow-up to Ama. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Various Artists' - 'Folk Album'

Various Artists
Folk Album
Sketis Music

Folk Album contains a dozen and-a-half tracks from several musicians across Russia, Yakutia, and even Japan that participated in the European Broadcasting Union folk festivals, EBU Christmas and Easter Projects, and other Radio Russia events. This recording features folk music, throat-singing, guttural vocals, classical elements, and some pop forms. The Moscow Balalaika Quartet, Sergey Starostin, Stepanida Borisova, The Trigon Group, The Hide-Hide Group, The Yat-Kha Group, Pavel Ukhanov, Zhili-Byli Group, and many others lend their musical talents to this great project. There are nearly fifty-five minutes of music to keep one occupied. Fans of Russian folk music and ethnic music will find joy in this exciting recording. Buy a piece of musical history today. Folk is where it's at! ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Potir's 'Gothic City' Recreates The Music of The Middle Ages

Potir
Gothic City
Sketis Music

Potir is a Russian group composed of Andrey Nazarov, Razana Rustom, Ivan Chernov, and Svetlana Petrova that brings back the music from Europe's Middle Ages with festive dirges, street music, and historic compositions. The music is performed with bassoon, viola, psalter, Bran's citra, dutar, peasant lute, citar, province drum, darbuka, aura, percussion, vocals, flutes, and bagpipes. Some of the instruments are up to three-hundred years old. The one-hour album contains sixteen tracks with instrumental, vocal music, and street music with all the commotion and noise of urban environments--minus the cars and trucks, of course. This is excellent music for anyone interested in the music of the Middle Ages, Renaissance fairs, and European folk music. Go back in time to the dark ages of civilization with the lighthearted music of Potir. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Jelena Jakubovitch's 'Burn Burn Gypsy Love'

Jelena Jakubovitch
Burn Burn Gypsy Love
Ajabu

Russian-born and Stockholm resident, Jelena Jakubovitch, sets the stage with an amazing set of Russian poetry sung in an emotive and seductive style in the vein of Latin and Gypsy rhythms. Jelena's lyrics in Russian speak volumes--even if you may not be able to understand the words. Notably, the song lyrics are printed in the liner notes in English. Nevertheless, Jelena incorporated Gypsy rhythms from beyond Western Europe--with sounds coming from Middle Eastern, Spanish, Mediterranean, and Scandinavian roots. The classical and jazzy compositions contain splendid rhythms and melodies. Jelena's voice is as strong as the Czech Republic's Vera Bila or Cape Verde's late-Cesaria Evora. At any rate, Burn Burn Gypsy Love is burning with fiery passion and rustic vocals that awaken the heart of the human spirit. ~ Matthew Forss