Ojra. Krokovoje koleso. /digi-pack/

First I listened to the Ojra’s records somewhere at the end of 90-ties, yet then it was the attempt to join the archaic and the up-to-date. The staff of the group changed several times since then, and they didn’t give up to search. They came to singular fields, as in 2008 it was their joint project together with Andriy Kirichenko who is one of the most specific experimentalist in electro-acoustics in Europe. Of course, a variety of creative paths they made gave its outcome: one of the best, I think, neo-folk records of all Ukrainian discography of the recent years. The girls sing very nice, not only talent is here, but the years of professional education, experience of numerous folk expeditions. And the music... Just have a look: the basic are the folk instruments, even a half of them cannot be called Ukrainian. Accordingly, the whole sound has pronounced folk coloring, though, the Ukrainian base is successfully enriched with oriental, yet with northern inflexions. The violin is embroidering its patterns high up between academic and authentic worlds, and they are blended in smoothly by its voice. Bass guitar performed rhythm section in a full: it’s rich and frugal, just nice. The absent percussions brought in the clear tenderness to the soft and smooth tunes. To say here: one has to listen. Without fail. Ojra took its time to make its debut, and it seems it was worth. In my opinion "Krokovoye koleso" is a marvellously true album.