Traditional Greenlandic Music Vol 1-5 (1906-1989)

This impressive edition was compiled by the ethnomusicologist Michael Hauser and Karsten Sommer, a well-known figure in Greenland's music industry. Together they sifted through 800 hours of material, selecting just little less than five hours for inclusion. The first two CDs in the collection contain recordings from Thule in the north-west of Greenland, while the third focuses exclusively on Thule's most famous qilaat (frame drum) singer, Imîna Imîna. The final two volumes cover music from the east and west coast, with the fourth CD brimming with characterful recordings from eastern Greenland where missionaries did not arrive until the early 20th century.

Detailed liner notes provide a wealth of extra information, including translations and photographs of the performers. The collection also draws attention to the way in which songs have traditionally been used – woven into the fabric of everyday life. We hear, for example, kayaking songs, songs of the angakkoq (Greenlandic shaman), and song duels (in which the aim is to ridicule one's opponent). These CDs are a beautiful and lovingly compiled document of Greenland's musical heritage and a real treasure trove for anyone interested in Inuit culture.