Klarvær

Klarvær (Clear Skies) is the debut album from Moenje, a new group led by the Norwegian south Sámi joiker Marja Mortensson and accordionist Hilde Fjerdingøy. Joined by Jo Einar Jansen (fiddles), Fredrik Luhr Dietrichson (double bass) and Øystein Aarnes Vik (drums), the band go about exploring the borders between Norway's traditional fiddle and accordion music and joik – the Sámi's unique vocal tradition, once attacked as ‘heathen practice’ and all but destroyed in Norway (partly due to its connection with shamanism).

Contrary to popular understanding, Sámi communities have long existed below as well as above the Arctic Circle (another reason why joik should be recognised and valued as an important part of Norwegian and Fennoscandian culture in general). In recent years, Mortensson, who comes from Engerdal in south-eastern Norway, has brought new attention to the distinctive south Sámi joik tradition. To me, she sounds more ‘at home’ within Moenje's sonic environment than on her previous and more heavily jazz-influenced solo albums. Tracks such as ‘Polaris’ and ‘Lapp-Nils’ (based on a composition by the renowned Swedish-Sámi composer) achieve a particularly graceful balance as joik weaves around terrific accordion, fiddle and double bass arrangements. An album of unassuming and gentle strength.