Who needs National Geographic when ECM can take you to just about any country that you desire. Here are a couple new releases that mix sounds from Greece to Japan to Sweden. Bon Voyage!
Savinna Yannatou has a penetratingly gorgeous voice that is simultaneously classical in its purity yet folk-oriented in its earnestness and vulnerability. She sings in Greek, English and Spanish as she mixes and matches musicians that emphasize Greek culture (“Apolitikion Agiou Dimitriou”) but also touches on the Jewish Sephardic sounds (“La Cantiga Del Fuego”). The team of Kostas Vomvolos/acc, Yannis Alexandris/oud-g, Kyriakos Gouventas/v, Lambrakis/nay, Michalis Siganidis/b and K ostas Theodorou/perc can take you to an Irish pub on “Salonica” or a late night tavern on “Poulakin Eiha Se Klouva.” Angelic yet earthy.
The mixture of Anders Jormin’s voice, fiddle and viola with Karin Nakagawa 25-string koto and Anders Jormin’s double bass makes for some strong and pungent sounds. The koto attacks harshly and brashly before delving into more Japanese gentility on “Krippainggler” while a mix of cherry blossoms falling and Willemark’s icy cold voice create a rich tension and contrast before digging into a wondrously passionate jig which teams vocal pants and violin on “Lyosfridin.” Gentle pickings create a spacious spring garden on “Hirajoshi” while Asian plaintiveness on koto teams with western jazz bass and Nordic vocals on the fascinating “Ogadh Dett.” If only the UN could be so productive!
ECM Records