CD Review: Dalava's Self-Titled Release From Moravia

Dalava
Dalava
Sanasar Records

Dalava is led by vocalist, Julia Ulehla and guitarist, Aram Bajakian. The entire project brings together Moravian folk songs originally transcribed by ethnomusicologist and biologist, Dr. Vladimir Ulehla. The Moravian/Czech folk songs are reinvented by Julia and Aram, with special contributions on violin, acoustic bass, gumbri, and glockenspiel. The instrumentation is very Squonk Opera meets the Faroe Islands' Valravn. The magical sounds are sometimes heavy, construed, and stirring, which reflects the innovation of the performers. This is a contemporary recording with ancient songs that are ripe with folk, opera, and roots-inspired music. There is even a slight rock vein on a few tunes, but this is not rock music. Anyone interested in Moravian/Czech music, opera, folk, and fusion music will love it. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Valravn's 'Re-Cod3d'

Valravn
Re-cod3d
Westpark Music

Hailing from the Faroe Islands, Valravn is an experimental, roots, and electronica group that is in the same vein as Garmarna, Sorten Muld, and Gjallarhorn. Coming from a Scandinavian-like musical background, Valravn's music has been remixed, or in this case--'re-coded'--as songs from previous albums are reinvented on this current release. Remixes are provided by the famous Carmen Rizzo, as well as Omnia, ORKA, Transglobal Underground, Euzen, Faun, Soren Bendixen, The Kenneth Bager Experience, Midi Lidi, and Pawel Rychert. The songs are a bit quirky, dark, and uptempo in an alternative way without resorting to flashy dance tracks or light and airy elevator music. There are male and female vocals. Valravn's remix masters came from all over the world to work on this project, including Poland, Norway, U.K., Netherlands, USA, Denmark, Germany, and Czech Republic. Re-cod3d is a solid release for fans of previous material. However, the contemporary setting may attract a new crowd. At any rate, the music of the Faroe Islands is on the map for world music fans! ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Valravn's "Koder pa snor"

Valravn

Koder pa snor

Voices Music & Entertainment

Valravn is a quintet with a lead singer, Anna Katrin Egilstrod, from the Denmark-owned, Faroe Islands. The Faroe Islands are located between Iceland and Scotland. Anna is joined by Danish-frontmen, Martin Seeburg on flutes, viola, vocals, Soren Hammerlund on mandola, hurdy gurdy, nyckelharpa, and Christopher Juul on keyboards/electronics. Juan Pino is from Switzerland and plays the davul, hammered dulcimer, and percussion instruments. After their self-titled, 2007 release, which included re-interpretations of old, Nordic songs for a contemporary audience. On Koder pa snor, which means, "codes on a string", they primarily write most of the songs. The album title represents that every particle in the universe is connected. Naturally, the songs follow a sinewy, musical path with unique electronic sounds and the heavenly voice of Anna. Valravn, which means "raven of the slain", is a familiar reincarnation of the now defunct, Emma Hardelin-led Swedish group, Garmarna. Though, there are hints of Denmark's Sorten Muld and even Belgium's Hooverphonic. All in all, the music threads the listener through mystical and haunting adventures that is anything but scary. A true delight! ~ Matthew Forss