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Merope: Véjula review | Jude Rogers' folk album of the month
The duo are joined by a stellar cast including Bill Frisell and Laraaji, bringing innovation and playfulness to their bright, elemental music
Once a three-piece, Merope is now a duo comprising Lithuanian singer Indrė Jurgelevičiūtė, who plays the kanklės (a Baltic chordophone with which she makes sounds that phosphoresce like frost or flash like streaking meteors) and Belgian multi-instrumentalist Bert Cools. Usually performed by a solo musician accompanied by a dutar or rubab (an Iranian or Afghan lute), it’s transposed thrillingly to an electro-acoustic guitar and the Uzbek doira drums, ranging from twitchy free jazz-like improvisation to raucous, string-hammered noise. Sudanese Gwana folk music is also showcased intimately on Maalem Houssam Guinia ’s Dead of Night (Hive Mind), a seven-track live session by the singer and guembri lute player.
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