Jpp Kaustinen Rhapsody (1994) {green Linnet Records Glcd 4019}

Maria Kalaniemi Quartet - Kaustinen Live 2003 (2014) {Åkerö Records ÅKERÖCD014}
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© 2014 Åkerö Records | ÅKERÖCD014
Folk / Nordic Folk / Finland / Accordeon

There’s something about the natural flow of a live recording, particularly when it just happens to be recorded rather than being a tense special event, and as here where punctuating applause is left out. Lovely, melodic, Finnish.

Maria Kalaniemi & Timo Alakotila - Akero (2011) {Akero Records AKEROCD011}
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© 2011 Åkerö Records | ÅKERÖCD011
Folk / Nordic Folk / Finland

Though Finnish master musicians Maria Kalaniemi and Timo Alakotila both play in many bands, something remarkable happens when they strip the music down to duets. The chemistry between the two emerges, creating a sound that is incredibly warm and intimate. On Åkerö — their first album as a duo since 2001’s Ambra — Kalaniemi (free-bass, five-row, button accordion) and Alakotila (pianist best known for his work with JPP) play like one musician. Their intricate arrangements showcase a wide dynamic range, from bold climaxes to subtle pauses. There’s probably no better example of this than the title track. It opens the album with the accordion playing both melody and counter melody as Alakotila’s piano enters almost imperceptibly, slowly growing in intensity. The music crescendos and decrescendos, continually and dramatically changing direction but always returning to the anchor of the opening melodies — all in a stunning five minutes.

Hexvessel - No Holier Temple (2012) {Svart Records SVR150}
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© 2012 Svart Records | SVR150
Folk Rock / Psychedelic Rock / Nordic Folk / Psychedelic Folk / Finland

Anything can happen, as Hexvessel’s music conveys awe towards the power of nature, but at the same time none of us is really in sync with its rhythm, neither understands fully the shadows behind trees and murmurs in grass. Hexvessel is one of those bands that seem to be from 1972 rather than 2012. However, it’s not just banal nostalgia. All the 11 songs making up the 56-minute album move in familiar paths – prog rock, psychedelia, folk. In spite of it all, Hexvessel seems to say that we CANNOT remember everything linearly, our world is full of flukes and to go back and start over on a clean slate is not possible.

Hexvessel - Dawnbearer (2011) {Svart Records SVR045}
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© 2011 Svart Records | SVR045
Folk Rock / Psychedelic Rock / Nordic Folk / Psychedelic Folk / Finland

Hexvessel is a psychedelic folk-rock band from Finland that was founded by Englishman Mat McNerney after he moved to Helsinki in 2009. Fusing late 60s and early 70s English folk/psych with Finnish nature mysticism, they play a witches brew of heavy, tripped-out atmospherics and hypnotic paeans. Their debut album Dawnbearer, which is now considered an occult folk classic, garnered rave reviews from the media and fans alike, making it to the top of many people’s Best of 2011 lists.

Fiolministeriet - Fiolministeriet (2011) {GO' Danish Folk Music GO0511}
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© 2011 GO' Danish Folk Music | GO0511
Folk / Nordic Folk / Denmark / Fiddle / Cello

Fiolministeriet, or The Fiddle Ministry, is a string trio comprising Kirstine Sand (violin, vocals), Kirstine Elise Pedersen (cello, vocals), and Ditte Fromseier Mortensen (fiddle, viola, vocals). They draw much of their material from 18th century song collections and their home islands of Fuen and Bornholm. They have a powerful and rhythmic sound with the cello adding a solid underpinning not usually found in performances of traditional material. At times the arrangements sound quite classical in nature, like on “Gottlob Minuet”; at other times, they sound traditional with the two violins playing in harmony.

Svanevit - Gryning (2005) {Westpark Music 87123}
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© 2005 Nordic Tradition Records / Westpark Music | 87123
Folk / Nordic Folk / Sweden

Thus beginns the medieval ballad, from whence Swedish folk music group Svanevit gets its name. The tale of Sven Svanevit takes place during the Middle Ages. In a world full of magic, mythical creatures and shining knights, Sven Svanevit rides towards adventure. The tale of the Swedish folk music group Svanevit takes place in the here and now. It begins with four eminent Swedish folk musicians and their music. What they create is both new and modern and at the same time retrospective, drawing inspiration from the past. Each and every element of the music is filled with an anticipation and narrative zest that allows the tale to continue giving the sounds, magic and legends a chance to live on in our time. The tale continues – listen and let the myth live!

Väsen - Mindset (2013) {NorthSide NSD6097}
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© 2013 NorthSide / Väsen and East Side | NSD6097
Folk / Nordic Folk / Sweden / Acoustic Trio

Väsen return with an all-original set of new tunes, confirming their status as the world's pre-eminent acoustic power trio. ”Gustavsson sees the sea in the drop of water when he listen to the Uppland trio Väsen’s new album Mindset.” UNT (translated from Swedish). “I'm not speaking in superlatives when I say that Väsen is one of the best bands in the world, and once again, they've delivered.” about.com. ”Väsen has never been better”

Helene Boksle - Godnatt, min skatt (2014) {Laterna AS HELENE 2014}
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© 2014 Laterna AS | HELENE 2014
Folk / Nordic Folk / Norway / Vocal / Lullabies

Helene Bøksle (born April 1, 1981 in Mandal, Norway) is a singer and actress. Helene has performed with singers such as Bjørn Eidsvåg, David Urwitz and Eurovision 1995 winners Secret Garden. She entered the Melodi Grand Prix 2011 with the song "Vardlokk". She performs a mixture of traditional Norwegian folk music and popular music. Helene Bøksle is one of Norways big star singers in traditional music. In 2006 she released her debut album “Elverhøy”, which was nominated for Spellemannsprisen. In January 2009 she released the follow-up album "Morild" and in December of the same year the Christmas album “Det hev ei rose sprunge”, which has gone platinum. Helene is an experienced and competent live artist who has spellbound the Norwegian people with her particular and splendid voice.