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Not just outside the box, but denying the existence of boxes.
Covering music from the fringes since 1993.

Reviews

Mari Boine — Eight Seasons / Gávcci Jahkejuogu
(NorthSide NSD6072, 2003, CD)

Mari Boine — Remixed (Oðða Hámis)
(NorthSide NSD6073, 2001/2003, CD)

by Jon Davis, Published 2003-08-01

Eight Seasons / Gávcci Jahkejuogu Cover artRemixed (Oðða Hámis) Cover art NorthSide’s releases of Wimme’s CDs have provided the most visible presence of Sami music in North America, but Mari Boine has been recording longer, and is fairly well known in the world music community. Her fusing of the traditional music of her people with European and American forms, along with her beautiful voice, has been impressing listeners since the 80s. While there are elements of the chanting joik vocals of Sami tradition, she adds jazzy melodies and an ear for memorable phrases, as well as adventurous arrangements. At the most basic, she accompanies herself on an African drum, with guitar, bass, and keyboards providing atmosphere, as on the emotional “Song for the Unborn,” which is sung partly in English. On the more uptempo side, a track like “Guovssahasaid Ájagáttis” adds electronic rhythms and a touch of latin sound and some great flute work. But in spite of the variety of styles and influences, Boine’s music has its own self-contained integrity, never coming off as a pastiche of other musics. As a further introduction to those unfamiliar with her music, NorthSide is offering a collection of remixed tracks spanning much of Boine’s career. It is to Boine’s credit (and the good sense of the remixers) that handing her music over to Bill Laswell, Jah Wobble, and others has not destroyed her spirit or essence. The tracks range from near-ambient to fairly energetic, but never sound like mindless dance-floor pandering. In a few cases, I actually prefer the new versions over the originals.

Filed under: New releases, Issue 27, 2003 releases, 2001 recordings

Related artist(s): Bill Laswell, Mari Boine (Persen)

 

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