Tundra Songs

The first noises here sound just like a fat seal pulling itself over gritty snow. By the end of Tundra Songs you feel like you’ve had close encounters with seals, huskies, ravens and icy winds. The record features music by Canadian composer Derek Charke, who is interested in environmental issues and often blends natural and electro-acoustic sounds in his work.

There are two substantial pieces here – ‘Tundra Songs’ and ‘Circle du Nord III’ – plus a selection of short arrangements of Inuit throat singing songs. Alongside the environmental sounds, it's these katajjaq songs that are the chief musical influence. Anyone familiar with katajjaq will know that it sounds unsettlingly like overhearing vigorous sex. It's this music that permeates the first section of ‘Tundra Songs’, provided by the adventurous throat singer (and Songlines cover star last issue), Tanya Tagaq.

This is followed by the narration of an Inuit creation myth in which the goddess Sedna has children with a husky. As ever, Kronos totally engage with a weird, but vivid soundworld. It really is an extraordinary piece.