Scandinavian Folk with : Sinikka Langeland (N) | Nils Petter Molvaer (N) | Lars Danielsson (Sw) | Niels Ottosen (Dm) | Maria Kalaniemi & Unto (Fin) | Rollin’ Phones (Sw) | Afenginn (Dm).
1- Sinikka Langeland (Norway).
A fascinating debut for the Norwegian singer and cantele player Sinikka Langeland. This folk music singer from the forest areas near the Swedish border, explores the relationship between people and nature in her work. On this album she presents poems by lumberjack and poet Hans Børli (†1989). The music sounds medieval, just like the troubadours did; occasionally very intimate and subdued music, alternated with shrill outbursts, especially due to the way he plays the saxophone. All in all a beautiful confluence of folk music, sung poetry and Nordic improvisation. CD. Starflowers – Sinikka Langeland, Arve Henriksen, Trygve Seim, Anders Jormin, Markku Ounaskari. LABEL: ECM Records (2007), code: 1996 1714563. Video
2- Nils Petter Molvaer (Norway).
Nils Petter Molvaer’s search for simplicity and pure sound can be found on the album Hamada. It starts with his thin solo trumpet in Exhumation, after which several pieces of music are gradually added to arrive at the very aptly named soundscape: Icy Altitude. Then the listener is surprised almost unprepared with heavy rock in Friction, with thundering drums and a growling bass. The same structure is more or less repeated in the subsequent tracks, culminating in the even heavier Cruel Altitude. Nils Petter Molvaer has further developed the drum & bass rhythms and dance tracks into a more pure form of jazz rock full of dynamic extremes. CD. Hamada – Nils Petter Molvaer, Eivind Aarset, Audun Erlien, Jan Bang, Audun Kleive. LABEL: Universal Records (2009), code: 00602527020419. Video
3- Lars Danielsson (Sweden).
The title Tarantella, despite what the title implies, does not have a strong Italian influence; this self-produced post-bop outing features no arrangements of traditional Italian folk songs. Nevertheless, Tarantella also has European influences, ranging from Euro-classical chamber music to traditional Scandinavian folk and bassist/cellist Lars Danielsson integrates all these influences without being too abstract or academic. He achieves this balance between intellect and accessibility with a strong team consisting of trumpeter Mathias Eick, pianist Leszek Mozdzer, guitarist John Parricelli and drummer/percussionist Eric Harland.extremen. CD. Tarantella – Lars Danielsson, Mathias Eick, Leszek Mozdzer, John Parricelli, Eric Harland. LABEL: ACT Music (2009), code: 94772. Video
4- Niels Ottosen (Denmark).
These musicians tell the story of fishermen’s life in music. In Jutland the Blæsten (the wind) poem over the water of the Limfjord is sung as if it were the national anthem. Now the poems have been published on the album Blæsten, with 11 new songs. They are songs about courage, love and drowning – about fishing and beautiful nature. The music was written by Niels Ottosen and played by four musicians, including Niels Ottosen. CD. Niels Ottosen & Blæsten. LABEL: GO´Danish Folk Music(2023), code: GO2523. Video
5- Maria Kalaniemi & Unto (Finland).
Dit is de Finse tango op zijn best, gepresenteerd door Tango-Orkest Unto met zangeres Maria Kalaniemi, die ook de accordeon, de piano, de viool, de gitaar en de bas bespeeld. De Finse Tango heeft een eigen, karakteristieke en boeiende stijl. Dit album presenteert de belangrijkste Finse tangocomponisten en tekstschrijvers, evenals Astor Piazzolla en andere componisten. CD. Finnish tango – Maria Kalaniemi, Tango Orkesteri Unto. LABEL: Arc (2003), code: EUCD 1830. Video
6- De Rollin’ Phones (Sweden).
The saxophone quartet Rollin’Phones has been an important part of the Swedish music scene since 1986. The repertoire varies from standard pieces and transcriptions to works by contemporary composers. Several compositions have been dedicated to the group by both Swedish and foreign composers and ongoing efforts are made to encourage exciting collaborations with other instrumentalists/singers and art forms. CD. Dedicated – Rollin’ Phones. LABEL: Grappa (2016), code: GRCD4463. Video
7- Afenginn (Denmark).
The album, Reptilica Polaris, is a large and ambitious piece of work. It is composed as one long piece, almost like a symphony in 11 movements. It is richly orchestrated with a 12-piece brass band, male choir, additional percussion, guitars, strings, etc. The lyrics were written by the Finnish poet Timo Haapaniemi and are constructed as a self-made syntax error lingua of Latin, English, Greek, Finnish, Swedish, German words – a kind of street Latin. It’s poetic and lyrical and has a lot of meaning, although it does take some decoding to get the most out of it. CD. Reptilica polaris – Afenginn. LABEL: Tutl (2008), code: TUTLSHD 87. Video
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