Basa Ahaide

Basa Ahaide, the debut release from French quartet Haratago, is a tough one to pigeonhole. The project of Basque musician Julen Achiary, the songs on this record seek to capture and translate the traditional vocal expression of Basque country mountain shepherds; although this is music traditionally sung solo and a cappella, the ensemble of clarinet, duduk, hurdy-gurdy, banjo and violone (bass viola da gamba) represented in Haratago adds a whole new texture to this traditional chant.

Organic and full of emotion, the album has some characteristics that make it reminiscent of Balkan, Turkish and Azerbaijani musics. ‘Laphane Ahaidea’ is a captivating a cappella duet that sounds almost akin to Corsican polyphonic singing, followed by ‘Laphane Suite’, a turbulent 12-minute-long emotional rollercoaster of a composition; the hypnotic drone of the hurdy-gurdy combines with Achiary's hauntingly raw vocals, the absence of lyrics leaving space for a more primal expression of sound. While some passages might feel unsettling or even a bit jarring, this only serves to add to the intensity of the album, which remains engaging throughout. Haratago have crafted a beautiful soundscape on an album that is sure to please fans of traditional Basque music as well as those looking for something new.