Aire!

Galicia in north-western Spain is a world apart, comparable perhaps to Dingle in Ireland. Folk music traditions are passed down dynastic lines and the public plazas of Vigo and A Coruña routinely thrum and throb to festivals celebrating Celtic identity. Sabela Caamaño and Antía Ameixeiras are typical products, immersed in their region's music since primary school age and, while well versed in classical, jazz and other traditions, cleaving fiercely to the music of their homeland.

As two youngish women, they present a fresh face to the scene, and bring vitality and intensity to their compositions. Caamaño plays chromatic accordion, Ameixeiras is in charge of violin and voice; most of the 11 songs are instrumental, and the few vocals are largely of the ‘yayayaya, oh-woah-oh, lelele’ variety. Unsurprisingly, given Galicians’ long seagoing/fishing history, there are several sea shanties, with the squeezebox weaving along a fine line between tragic melancholy and boozy-cheery, as befits a sailor safely returned to shore. ‘Vals de Pasmar’ is a slow-burn waltz that oozes feeling. ‘Maribel’ is a danceable dirge, by turns sorrowful and sardonic, which packs a punch at its climax. It's telling, though that the most arresting track, ‘Maneo de Cambre’, features ‘proper’ vocals by Sílvia Pérez Cruz and Carola Ortiz's crooning clarinet. This talented duo's pared-down harmonies are impressive and taut, but non-specialists might find the tonal range a wee bit narrow.