Simbiose (Fol Música/Boa, 2011)
Ialma is a lively group of five Galician female vocalists and percussionists based in Belgium. On their latest album, Simbiose (Symbiosis) They play irresistible contemporary dance tunes with roots in Galician folk music, although they also incorporate influences form their adopted country.
There is an ancient tradition of female groups in Galicia (Spain) who sing accompanied by tambourines (pandeiretas) and other percussion instruments. In this case, Ialma goes beyond Galician folk traditions, incorporating modern music elements such as jazz, pop, reggae and Latin music elements, as well as diatonic accordion and songs from other folk traditions such as traditional Quebec folk piece “Na Iauga.” The weakest cut is ‘100 Voltas’, which features annoying (and unnecessary) rapping.
Ialma’s line-up includes Verónica Codesal, Marisol Palomo, Nuria Aldao, Natalia Codesal and Magali Menéndez. Although they are residents of Brussels, they still keep a vital link with Galicia, their homeland and main source of artistic inspiration.
Musicians featured in the album include Pascal Chardome on guitar, piano, Fender Rhodes, programming; Didier Laloy on diatonic accordion; Frédéric Malempre on drums & percussion; Bo Waterschoot on bass; Ad Cominotto on programming & percussion; Didier Fontaine on drums; Osvaldo Hernández on percussion; El Puto Coke on rap & programming; Carlos Blanco on vocal; Bert Joris on trumpet & bugle; Luc Piilartz on violin; Stephane Kraemer on programming; Bruno Fevery on electric guitar; Gregorio Melgosa on gaita; David Valdes on gaita; Liam Fennelly on fiddle; Jowan Merckx on recorder alto & soprano, bagpipe from the center of France; Jurgen De Bruyn on medieval lute; Coro ‘Obradoiro Vocal A Vila’ (Choir) conducted by Alberto Abal; and Jules Fradet on percussion.
Buy the CD or MP3 downloads:
- In North America: Simbiose (digital)
- In Europe: Simbiose (CD), Simbiose (digital). Other recordings available:
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
