Record Reviews

SAME SUKI ~ DZIADOSKIE PIOSENKI O MILOSCI AUDIO CAVE 2023/004 (Barcode: 5908298549636) ~ POLAND ~ World Music & Folklore Recorded: 2022 Released: 2023 This is an album by Polish trio Same SukiFind albums by this artist, which comprises of vocalist Magdalena WieczorekFind albums by this artist, vocalist / multi-instrumentalist Helena MatuszewskaFind albums by this artist and vocalist / bassist Karol GodzaloFind albums by this artist. The album presents twelve original songs, all co-credited to the trio members. The concept of the album is to create a series of original songs, which sound, feel and resemble Polish Folklore songs, which might have been written centuries ago. The individual vocals and vocal harmonies are the epicenter of the music, which is supported by some instrumental accompaniment, using folklore instruments, and based on strong, hypnotic bass pulsations, which lead the music steadily and with confidence. Although the vocal performances mimic Folkloristic singing and to some degree old Polish language, the subject matter (love songs of course) is absolutely contemporary, including a serious dash of humor and irony. Of course that part of the album’s message is language dependent, and gets lost to listeners, who are nor native Polish speakers. But even without the text layer, the music is highly original and aesthetically appealing. Overall, this is a very unusual, somewhat challenging Folklore album, which offers some beautifully lyrical songs and deep reflections about contemporary personal relationships, all wrapped in a mysterious “old music” packaging. I had a real blast listening to this little gem and I most warmly recommend it to all heartfelt unusual music lovers, who will be ready to plunge into this micro-universe, which is enchanting and magical.

Updated: 10/05/2023Posted: 10/05/2023

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

SUTARI ~ WIANO AUDIO CAVE 2023/006 (Barcode: 5908298549629) ~ POLAND ~ World Music & Folklore Recorded: 2013 - 2014 Released: 2023 This is a reissue / remaster of the debut album form 2014 by Polish female trio SutariFind albums by this artist, which comprises of vocalists / instrumentalists Basia SonginFind albums by this artist, Kasia KapelaFind albums by this artist and Zosia ZambrzuskaFind albums by this artist. The album presents twelve tracks, all based on traditional Polish Folklore, with some original adaptations / additions by the trio members. Although Sutari was founded in 2012, I admit of being completely unaware of their existence until their appearance on the “TamojFind albums with this title” album by the BastardaFind albums by this artist trio. Their striking originality and unconventional approach to music in general and Polish Folklore in particular is truly astounding. Polish Folklore offers an endless wealth of multi-cultural sources, which developed over the Centuries, bringing many different Cultures together. It seems that many contemporary Polish musicians are discovering the treasures of the diverse Folklore traditions, like the recently reviewed Same SukiFind albums by this artist trio and quite a few others. Although obviously less popular than the dreadful contemporary Polish Pop, it is great to see that this music still finds a place in the heart of Poles, who respect their Cultural traditions. The music, although seemingly simplistic and lacking complex musical challenges, is in fact fascinating, especially when treated with a slight degree of humor and an attempt to show, that human life on the basic level, especially emotionally, did not change radically over time, still sharing the pains of love and other personal relationships, which are the subject of the Folkloristic material adopted by Sutari. The vocal harmonies of the trio members are the focus of this music and the instrumental accompaniment is rather secondary, but definitely unconventional, but that does not diminish the excellent end result. Overall, this is an exceptional example of a contemporary interpretation of Polish Folklore, which is vibrant and fascinating, and having this album back in circulation is definitely a field day. Kudos to Audio CaveFind albums on this label for bringing this music back to circulation, in style, as usual.

Updated: 12/05/2023Posted: 12/05/2023

CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Remastered Recommend To A Friend