Vasen Spirit (1997) {northside Nsd6004}

Väsen - Spirit (1997) {NorthSide NSD6004}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 459 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 165 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 31 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1997 NorthSide / East Side | NSD6004
World / Folk / Nordic Folk / Sweden / Acoustic

Although only one of their previous albums (Essence, a French import) has been readily available in the United States, the Swedish folk instrumental trio Väsen actually released a total of four albums, including one recorded live on the radio, before this compilation was put together by NorthSide Records (a subsidiary of the Minneapolis indie label EastSide specializing in Scandinavian music). As such Spirit is a good survey of and introduction to the group's early work, when the group was still the trio of Olov Johansson on keyed fiddle, Mikael Marin on viola, and Roger Tallroth on guitar. The first four tracks are drawn from Essence and are well chosen, including the tender "Amanda" and the creepy "Pen-Knife Murderer." The next five are from Vilda and include the highly rhythmic "Roar-Resin," a schottische (2-step dance) by Roger Tallroth.