Skip to content
Elly Roberts reviews
Vital Records
- January 2007
- Rating: 8/10
They dare to be different, and win hands down.
It would be a total understatement to say that theres nothing quite like thisin musical history. Well, maybe there is, but Ive not come across it yet.
Ok, lyrically, as the song titles indicate, I have no idea whats going here,except I like it very much, whatevers being said. Musically though, this isa fascinating if not easy listening experience from the northern tip ofScandinavia – Norway, Sweden and Finland.
Adjagas – the Sami (nomadic tribe) word for the mental state betweenwaking and sleep is sung, in their native language, accompanied by somefascinating music, even if it is sparse. It makes for a highly unique andgenre defying listening experience.
It’s a combination of peaceful, entrancing and deeply spiritual music. Tomost western ears this will be totally alien; nevertheless, it should not bedismissed at any cost.
This debut album from Norwegian female male duo of Sara Marielle Gaup (23)and Lawra Somby (26) explore endless possibilities along a folkish thread,opening with plodding Lihkulas. As soon as you hear this, you know youre infor an interesting ride. A twanging banjo introduces joik (chant-singing)on Dolgematki.
Theyre not afraid of embracing Asian and worldly soundscapes, so musicallyits not too indigenous. Here and there they welcome the blues alightdusting of. In most part the female vocals are tender and beautifullyexecuted, whereas the male singing beefs things up nicely, especially onthe drifting duetting of Rievdadeapmi.
Tracks 5 & 6 float along gently, until Ozan restores the pace, closingwith the delightfully wistful Suvvi Ijat. Its all done in the moststripped manner possible, using drums, bass, guitars and some brass to maximumeffect.
At times theres a cute ambiance and etherealness that is both comforting andreassuring even if its considered on the edge of our normal daily listening.After a few spins youll be hooked.
One definitely worth checking.
Weblink:everrecords.com
The full list of tracks included are :
1. Lihkulas
2. Dolgematki
3. Mun Ja Mun
4. Rievdadeapmi
5. Guorus Fatnasat
6. Siivu
7. Ozan
8. Lavvu Vuovddis
9. Suvvi Ijat
Elly Roberts passed away in 2011, but he was a man who was so passionate about all types of music and loved meeting his musical heroes, such as Mick Hucknall at a book signing at the Trafford Centre, Manchester in 2007.
A former teacher and also a music journalist, DJ and radio presenter on local community station Calon FM, plus appearances on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru and BBC Radio 2, Elly started doing reviews for DVDfever.co.uk in 2004 and he did the majority of the CD and concerts reviews on the website.
I know also that he loved getting away for the summer to Spain and I hope that wherever he is now he is enjoying the hot sunshine and, as one of his friends has said on his Facebook page, that he is interviewing his musical heroes.