Bergå Folk Project

Sometimes, even the best folk bands can make an album that feels a bit like another re-hash of the tried and tested. Not, however, with this new first release from the newly-formed Bergå Folk Project. Inspired by the Italian composer Luciano Berio (1925-2003) and his own collection of folk tune arrangements, this album is a glorious trot around Europe, infused with Finnish energy.

A dizzying array of European languages act as a gateway to musical sounds from Italy, Scandinavia, Armenia and elsewhere – so eclectic, colourful and engaging: Four musicians (Aili Järvelä, Iida Savolainen, Esko Grundström and Topi Korhonen), 13 instruments (including jouhikko, pump organ and octave violin) and 11 vibrantly sung tracks. A release perhaps summed up best by the central track, ‘Loosin Yelav’. What begins with a searching, yearning Armenian folk song breaks out into earthy drones underpinning new hypnotic and beguiling waves of more folk singing, before a burst of energetic, euphoric fiddling. It’s simply wonderful. Other tracks of note include the opener, a bold, charged rendition of ‘Black is the Colour’ with uneasy electronics manipulating voice and instruments. In contrast, the country sounds of ‘Älyttömin Kaikista’ is quirky and fun. Welcome to the stage Bergå Folk Project…