Wolno!

It's amazing how much has happened on the Polish traditional and folk scene in the last decade. There's both the re-awakened interest in Polish traditions and the openness to the world, and both are evident in the work of Mosaik. Led by singer and violinist Jolanta Kossakowska, Mosaik formed in 2007 and this is their fourth album. It sounds like it's been intricately worked on – in a remote hut in north-eastern Poland, they claim – to create a web of melodies and textures that is absolutely enchanting. The five-piece ensemble keep Polish songs at the heart of the music, but bring in a range of instruments from all over the world, such as balafon, ngoni, kalimba, duduk, oud and a lot more besides. ‘Zielona Grusia’ (Green Pear Tree) starts with a balafon ostinato and funky bass, over which Kossakowska plays and sings the song. ‘Afroberek II’ takes an oberek dance but renders it on Moroccan gimbri (lute), Afghan rubab and more. It never sounds gimmicky, but shows what five creative musicians (and a couple of guests) can do with a carefully selected pile of instruments. They sound like a band to watch.