Slagr – Linde (Hubro, 2022)
Norwegian trio Slagr released its sixth album “Linde” in 2022. It features exquisite music created in a time of new beginnings. The music on the album was written by cellist Katrine Schiøtt who was in the middle of maternity leave. This gave the ensemble a new touch to its distinctive sound.
Although Slagr plays contemporary folk music, the instrumental combination is unconventional and captivating. Slagr’s spellbinding music is timeless, detached from time, place, and the concrete materiality of life.
Notably, the cello provides a dark resonance of the cello intertwined with the rough vibrations of the Hardanger fiddle, and the crystalline sound of tunes glasses and mesmerizing vibraphone.
Slagr’s music opens a door to new associations and reflections.
The lineup includes Anne Hytta on Hardanger fiddle; Katrine Schiøtt on cello; and Amund Sjølie Sveen on vibraphone, tuned glasses.
Slagr is the Norse expression for the word ’tune’ or ’melody’. The word is derived from the verb slá (hit) with the connotation hit to create tones (pluck), and has originally been used about tunes played on plucked instruments.
Slagr was formed in 2004. They have released 5 albums: Solaris (2007), Straum, stille (2011) and Songs by Geirr Tveitt with singer Camilla Granlien (2013). They also play on jazz pianist Andreas Ulvo’s album Softspeaker (2012). Their album short stories (2015) was awarded Spellemannprisen (the top Norwegian music award) for best album in the open category.
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.