Latem (Summertime)

WoWaKin are a Polish trio playing violin, three-row accordion and drums with all the verve and vivacity of a village band. Except for one song, the repertoire is traditional – mazurkas, obereks and kujawiaks from central Poland – and every one of the 15 tracks seems to burst with life. The opening ‘Ober Papisa’ shows just how elusive and complex the speedy three-beat oberek can be. Violinist Paula Kinaszewska is a wonderful singer too on the lyrical ‘TamTa Dyna’, as is drummer Bartłomiej Woźniak on ‘Jak Jechałem’. WoWaKin’s guests are Piotr Zabrodzki (synthesizer and banjo) and Marta Maślanka (cimbalom, notably on ‘Oj Czom Pod Korczom’), although there are flute and winds that pop up from time to time too. They also, at a couple of moments, like to speed up and slow down tracks like a vari-speed tape recorder. They end with a spirited ‘Kołomyika’ dance from the repertoire of Ukrainian fiddler Pawlo Humeniuk. For their quality playing and joie de vivre, WoWaKin are one of the best bands on the traditional Polish scene.