Solveig Kringelborn, To a Friend (NMA, 2003)
Various Latvian Artists, Ligo (UPE, 2003)
Anup, Embrace (Sitar Records, 2003)
Javier Ruibal, Sahara (Riverboat Records, 2003)
Al Jewer and Andy Mitran, Two Trees (Laughing Cat Records, 2003)
Here are some CDs that will help reduce your blood pressure without shutting down your frontal lobes. So here I appear in my incarnations of the Rajah of Relaxed, the Lord of Loose, the Monarch of Mellow, the Caliph of Calm, the Chieftain of Chill for your reviewing pleasure.
The best CD in this batch by far iss Solveig Kringelborn’s To a Friend. Solveig pays tribute to the Norwegian Ludvig Irgens-Jensen (1894-1969). Irgens-Jensen was a self-taught Classical and Modern pianist and composer whose works were composed from the 1920s through the 1950s. Perhaps his most famous concert was his “Til Kongen” (“To the King”), conducted in Norway’s Palace Square at the occasion of King Haakon’s return at the end of World War II.
Working with Ludvig’s son Olav, Solveig collected pieces ranging from the early “I Blodet Hans Blomde” (“In His Blood there Blossomed”) through nine songs from the career-spanning suite “Japanischer Fruhling” (“Japanese Spring”). Not satisfied with composing remarkable songs, Irgens-Jensen wove poetry from around the world and of his own creation into his works.
My reaction to this CD was similar to British producer Tony Harrison’s remark: “Why haven’t we heard more of this music?” Solveig’s vocal performance is absolutely gorgeous as Lu Jia conducts the Symphony Orchestra of Norrkoping’s attentions. What friends these are to have!
I commend Ludvig Irgens-Jensen as a playful operatic addition to the period’s more recognized European composers. The multi-lingual liner notes are very instructive and a great place to start looking up Irgens-Jensen’s history and other works. The CD is a must for those seeking some of the more overlooked Classical or Operatic material for chamber performances, church services, or simply the enjoyment of it.
As long as we’re in the vicinity of the Baltic, let’s eavesdrop on Latvia for Folk Collection members’ album Ligo. This is a pastoral project dedicated to the great Baltic holiday of Midsummer (Ligo) accompanied by natural sounds of the season. The compositions are captivating, played on a wide variety of acoustic, percussive, and electronic instruments by Ilze Grunte, Artis Gulbis, Oskars Poikans, Zane Smite and Martins Taurins. Vocals are by Annemarta Kreituse, Zigfrids Muktupavels, Zane Smite, Martins Taurins, Andris Alvikis and Ainars Mielavs.
Although relatively low-key, the project progresses through a wide concourse of rhythms, drones, the eerie Asiatic sounds of throat singing, and melodic patterns. It’s engaging in the same way a great summer day is. The liner notes provide English translations of the fine poetic lyrics. The songs feature catchy titles like “Zakit’s saldu alu dara” (“The Hare is Brewing Sweet Ale”) and “Sijaju uguni” (“I’m Riddling Fire”). This CD is another superior offering from Latvia and goes to show that a small country can make some mighty big music.
Anup’s sitar playing on Embrace comes across in idioms that most people around the world can relate to in some form or other. Trained in Classical Indian, he weaves middle-of-the-recording-chart pop rhythms and regional melody signatures into his selections. The CD opens with a Middle Eastern blend, “Sweet Dissonance,” and progresses to a synth number called “Genesis Wave” (which identifies the man as a Star Trek enthusiast). Songs along the way include an improvisational rendition of “Jingle Bells.” Anup’s work is quirky enough to be unique and interesting yet meditative enough to clear your mind of its troubles.
Javier Ruibal’s Sahara blends a number of different musical cultures -- Spanish, Caribbean, Middle Eastern, and Indian. According to his liner notes, Javier “... sings of and to women in a wider metaphorical sense, in order to express his love of life....” A bit focused perhaps, but the musical quality on the CD is too high to dismiss this guy lightly. Slick come-on-baby-come-on routines meet with some very smooth fusions of the styles that permeate his work. Javier is capable at times of sounding a bit like Yanni but with real World Music sensibilities. Play Sahara to the accompaniment of your favorite chilled beverage in the sun.
There are two words that summarize the sound of Al Jewer and Andy Mitran’s Two Trees: Windham Hill. The crew on this CD includes Al on flutes, percussion, and bass; Andy on keyboards and percussion; and mainstay back-up by David Darling (cello), Vinnie Zummo (guitars), James Finlayson (kalimba) and John Hall (digeridoo).
Two Trees is a series of instrumental passages based on Native American riffs. The compositions are light and airy. The Traditional material is very merged with Lite Jazz sensibilities, arranged in flowing presentations, but is distinctly recognizable. Put this one on after Modern Civilization has run you over and peel yourself back up off the pavement.
Solveig Kringelborn’s work may be perused here. For the music of the Ligo ensemble and other great titles from UPE, go here. Pluck into Anup here. Party down with Javier Ruibal here. Tune into the mystic curios of Al Jewer and Andy Mitran here here.
