Groupa – Kind of Folk – Vol. 4 Iberia (All Ice Records, 2023)
Groupa, the renowned Swedish folk music group, have released their fourth album in the Kind of Folk series on April 20, under the All Ice Records label. This time, the focus is on the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal) and its rich musical traditions. The album is a product of the group’s collaboration with admired Spanish and Portuguese musicians. “Kind of Folk – Vol. 4 Iberia” treats listeners to an array of soft ballads, intense love songs, and irresistible dance tunes, all with a unique Groupa twist.
The album features a collection of talented young musicians, including the multi-instrumentalist and singer Vanesa Muela, who has her roots in the music of the Castilla y León region. Vanesa’s excellent percussion skills and captivating vocals, paired with Groupa’s improvisational technique, result in beautiful and delightful Nordic-Iberian music.
Another notable musician featured on the album is Sofia Adriana Portugal, a young singer from Portugal who is passionate about the traditional music of her country. Sofia’s background in the band Fadomorse, the vocal trio Maria Monda, as well as training in puppetry and theater, lends itself to her lyrical vocals and storytelling, which enchant audiences.
The album also features the fascinating percussion duo Ttukunak Txalaparta, composed of Sara and Maika Gómez, who play the traditional Basque chalaparta of northern Spain. Their intricate rhythms feature sudden shifts and expansive dynamics, adding an exciting element to the album’s overall sound.
Lineup: Jonas Simonson on flutes, bass clarinet; Mats Edén on strings, one row accordion; Terje Isungset on drums, percussion, mouth harp.
Iberian guests: Vanesa Muela on vocals, percussion; Maika Gómez & Sara Gómez on chalaparta; and Sofia Portugal on vocals, adufe.
Additional guest musicians: Robert Svärd on guitar; and Skùli Sverisson on electric bass.
Buy the album at: terjeisungset.bandcamp.com/album/kind-of-folk-vol-4-iberia
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.