Kalabra
17.99
Winners of the 1998 Kaustinen Young Folk Music competition in Finland, this Swedish band's first recording is still a "must have" for lover's of contemporary experiments in folk musical roots. Deeply rooted in the tradition, this band stiull manages a high level of jazz and funk in their playing, and does it with an effortless and natural grace.
From the record label: "Alternately vigorously abrasive and gently mordant, modern Swedish folk music peppered with improvisation. Suggestive medieval ballads in tailor-mde fantasy costumes, raunchy waltzes, inswinging, groove-saturated schottisches and inviting and challenging polskas."
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Also see:
Kalabra Folka (2000)
Ulrika Boden
Susanne Rosenberg Ensemble
More music from Sweden
Alternately vigorously abrasive and gently mordant, modern Swedish folk music peppered with improvisation. Suggestive medieval ballads in tailor-maid fantasy costumes, raunchy waltzes, inswinging, groove-saturated schottisches and Oh! such inviting and challenging polskas.
Ulrika Bodén: vocals, flute
Erik Metall: el. bass
Sebastian Printz-Werner: percussion
Amanda Sedgwick: alto and baritone saxophone
Simon Stålspets: bouzouki, jew's harp, harmonica, willow flute
| "Kalabra is a sextet that is expanding the big band sound started in the 70s by Filarfolket. (I'm sure they are tired of the comparison, but it is there to be made on this, their first recording.) Using a base of traditional instruments like willow flute, keyed fiddle and Jew's harp, as well as the now all-pervasive bouzouki, they add saxophones, some funky bass and lots of contemporary percussion techniques to generate a new version of the old folk-pop style. It's a fresh turn on it, though, quoting (sometimes excessively) 80s and 90s pop and jazz lines, revamping these ideas to fit into the polska and schottis rhythms. The tunes are traditional, or tradition based, but the lyrics are sometimes a riot, as in this translation of "The Hammock Schottis," "Sitting in the hammock, legs dangling, drinking squash. Granny puts on speed with her pogo stick." The liveliness of the music is irresistible, the musicianship superb. This album falters here and there as the band leans too heavily on familiar tricks, but when they find their own voice, watch out! This is a band to watch for." - CF, RootsWorld |
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