FolkReviews

What happens when Finland’s national instrument, the kantele, is reimagined with electric bass, fiddle and rock and pop vocals? After a 30-year break, Salamakannel returns with a bold new album that blurs the line between ancient traditions and contemporary innovation.

"Listening to Teija Niku's solo album one almost feels like sneaking into her studio, and in this solo context I actually appreciate Niku’s composition skills more than ever."

"What is supremely attractive is the earthiness, the urgency, the absolute conviction of voice meeting accordion."

"Tuuletar's Rajatila is a powerful concept album that transports the listener to the instant before the final step."

"A finely crafted exploration of each other’s music and style bringing out the richness, the elegance and the wit of their playing and writing."

"The music itself breathes calmly and is very free, being based more on musical discussion between the performers than on strict composition. The disc begins and ends in jazzy colours, but personally I particularly like the adventures in between, spiced with a certain modal and rhythmic curiosity."