Release Info

Split into three areas (pop and contemporary, folk and roots, and jazz, experimental, and atmospheric) this budget collection is an excellent primer to the range and different styles of Nordic music. The boundaries between different genres are fluid, and the pop isn't in the obvious chart style, but more mature and considered, exemplified by Kari Bremnes, the Gainsbourg-Waits gravel of Lars Demian, and the folktronica of Valravn; it's as much dance music as folk, and that leads neatly into this roots CD, which contains many of the expected names, like Eivor and Värttinä. But it's with the third disc that there are plenty of surprises, like the sound of Karl Seglem or Terje Isungset, as well as Benny Andersson's Orkester -- yes, the ABBA man -- with something moderately experimental. It finishes with a couple of Sami joikers, "Wimme" and "Mari Boine," showing that even the traditional can be placed in new, daring contexts. This disc won't show you the bland mainstream of Scandinavian music, but by taking the back roads, it opens up a fuller and much more interesting picture. ~ Chris Nickson

Tracks

1. Egentlig en Danser (Norway) - Bremnes, Kari
2. Alkohol (Sweden) - Demian, Lars
3. Strange Love (Sweden/Norway) - Koop
4. Innan Allt Försvinner (Sweden) - Bo Kaspers Orkester
5. Aletta (Finland) - Hovatta, Vuokko
6. Theater Island (Iceland) - Soley
7. Samba För Pomperipossa (Sweden) - Vreeswijk, Cornelis
8. Working Man's Song (Sweden/UK) - House of Trees
9. En þu Varst Ævintýr (Iceland) - Pascal Pinon
10. To Let Myself Go (Norway) - Brun, Ane
11. Birrat Birra (Norway/Finland) - Valkeapaa, Niko
12. Seersken (Denmark/Faroe Islands) - Valravn
13. Kaluaja (Finland) - Pohjonen, Kimmo

1. Mín Módir (Faroe Islands) - Palsdottir, Eivor
2. Auringonlunta (Finland) - Kiila
3. Tuulen Nostatus (Finland) - Kurki-Suonio, Sanna
4. Räven (Sweden/Finland) - Hedningarna
5. Päivän Nousu Nostajani (Finland) - Varttina
6. Myrskylintu (Finland) - Lepisto, Markku
7. I Fjol (Finland) - Kalaniemi, Maria
8. Gåta (Norway) - Moldestad, Sigrid
9. Der Stode Tre Skalke (Denmark) - Morild
10. Húfan Dýra (Iceland) - Draupner
11. Mallebrok (Denmark) - Phonix
12. Samu (Sweden) - Boot
13. Korstog (Norway) - Lien, Annbjorg

1. Stilla (Sweden) - Bazar Bla
2. Mårblå (Norway) - Seglem, Karl
3. Bak Vaker Verda (Norway) - Lovlid, Unni
4. Judas Bolero (Excerpt Sweden/Norway) - Danielsson, Lars
5. Fading Sun (Norway) - Isungset, Terje
6. Aallot Ja Äänet (Finland) - Islaja
7. Heimkoma (Iceland) - Magnusson, Agnar Mar
8. Sång Från Andra Våningen (Sweden) - Andersson, Benny Orkester
9. Vals Til Hans (Norway) - Larsen, Gjermund
10. From Gargarin's Point Of View (Sweden) - Svensson, Esbjorn Trio
11. High Five (Denmark) - Andersen, Henrik
12. Gierran (Finland) - Wimme
13. Dás Áiggun Cuozzut (Norway/Russia) - Boine, Mari