Ethnic

[Video] Мурад Кажлаев (Murad Kazhlaev) ‎- Крутые Повороты (Sharp Turns)

/ Rudy Carrera / Leave a comment

Before Dagestan, in southern Russia, became a worthless subsidiary for radical Islamists, it was producing some rather amazing musicians and composers of note. Murad Kazhlaev (sometimes transliterated as Murad Kajlayev) hailed originally from Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, from a Lak family. He moved on to Dagestan, and would work with the Melodiya Records Orchestra, churning out great jazz like this.

If anyone from Dagestan could give me information on more interesting artists, I’d be indebted.

[Video/Sample] Árstíðir – Heyr Himna Smiður

/ Rudy Carrera / Leave a comment

The best way to describe Árstíðir, at least in this gorgeous tune, is something like what a Varangian choir might have sounded like in 13th-Century Byzantium, singing in the Hagia Sophia.

As it turns out, the tune is from the 13th Century, written by Kolbeinn Tumason. No, Wuppertal isn’t quite Byzantium, especially inside of the train station, but the lads made a mundane place seem almost holy that day.

For another, perhaps clearer version, check out this performance from Vilnius, Lithuania, in 2012. To hear this as an MP3 or FLAC file, just download the ‘name your price’ album via Bandcamp.

[Video] Máddji – Iđitguovssu (Dawn Light)

/ Rudy Carrera / Leave a comment

Máddji (Norwegian info only) is a Sámi singer from Norway. The vocals are light, but powerful. Lyrics in both English and Sámi are shown below:

Lyrics (English):

You flew in from the dawn
Such a sight when you came into view
You stretched your white wings
Careful embrace

Swan, my swan
Dive, heat my blood
Swan, my swan
Before dawn breaks

You flew in from the dawn
Such a sight when you came into view
You whispered softly
Youthful caress

Swan, my swan
Dive, heat my blood
Swan, my swan
Before dawn breaks

Bring out my yearning
The longing of the lonely

Lyrics (Sámi):

Iđitguovssus girdilit
Hávski lei go iđistit
Vilges dolggiid geigestit
Várrogasat salastit

Njukča, njuvččažan
Buokčal, ligge varan
Njukča, njuvččažan
Ovdal iđitroađi

Iđitguovssus girdilit
Hávski lei go iđistit
Jaskatvuođain savkalit
Nuorravuođain njávkalit

Njukča, njuvččažan
Buokčal, ligge varan
Njukča, njuvččažan
Ovdal iđitroađi

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