Waterman

Along with his brothers Ward and Koen, diatonic accordion player Hartwin is one third of the terrific Trio Dhoore, a leading Flemish music export and firm festival favourite across Europe and Canada. Their four albums together so far have been entrancing, innovative and entertaining takes on the Flemish traditional music that has filled all their lives, while Hartwin has also released music with his Estonian wife Leana, both as a duo and with the award-winning Estbel. The latter also includes brother Ward, so it would seem that Hartwin is quite the family guy. But this really is a solo album, as pure, simple and personal as that. Many of its ten subtle and rather lovely instrumental tunes boast evocatively ‘watery’ titles like ‘For Those at Sea’, ‘Sailors’ or ‘Waves’, with others, such as ‘Coastal Walks’ or ‘Slow Mornings’, accurately reflecting the delicate, honest and calming nature of Hartwin's meditative and memorable melodies. It's heartening to have an album like this to turn to for just a bit of solace in these unquiet and disconcerting times.