Gadalokos

Although advertised as a mass bagpipe and drum group, Latvian group Auļi leaven their uncompromising sound with bowed and plucked bass, flute and Jew's harp, but the basis is one of rather stolid, nursery-rhyme like melodies unwinding over a drone, with simple, slightly syncopated rhythms on drums and percussion. The melodies are mostly original compositions drawing on folk motifs, and the structure of the CD is consciously linked to the cycle of the peasant or pagan religious calendar (although there is little explanation given of the meaning of these festivals, or indeed what they entail).

Although it's straightforward stuff, which refreshingly makes no pretence of being an authentic revival of ancient sounds, there's enough variety here to keep a listener's interest, particularly on the more elaborate originals like the energetic ‘Maras Diena’. The use of multiple overtones from flute, bass and Jew's harp on ‘Apjumibas’, otherwise a drum showcase, spices things up a bit as well. The CD closes with a couple of attractive arrangements/remixes of instrumental tunes, with a richer instrumental setting, including guitar and zither beneath solo and choral vocals, producing more of a conventional song texture – but one that remains off-kilter enough to fit with the group's general sound.