Rutenia. Neopalyma Kupyna. (Burning Bush) // www.UMKA.com.ua

It is quite a rare phenomenon – at least, as of today: an album of songs devoted to UPA (Ukrainian Insurgent Army). Exactly an album, not a collection – as, for only one exception, authors' songs composed by our contemporaries sound here. However, in this case it is not strange – because Rutenia has never been indifferent to patriotic ideas. It is sufficient to remember previous albums by the project, and solo works by that very Eduard Drach – in them, great gratitude and honor to heroes of the past years have always been seen distinctly. Actually, the music stylistics have not gone through any great changes either – it is an alloy of bard performance with acoustic rock. They did not avoid electric sounding – but this is, in fact, a droplet, not the rule. But mainly – guitars, percussion and singing, here and there decorated with a violin and double flute. Due to this kind of performance, there is no impression of variety art, pretence – everything is simple and sincere. As it should be when the issue is an idea related not to financial interests, but to internal commitment. And that is why there are no barriers in time – it seems that these songs would sound as true ten years ago, as they sound now.

Rutenia. Khto zhyvyj. (2CD). /digi-pack/. (Who’s Alive)

...a country the history of which is still re-written every few years will encounter problems with memory. If you do not remember – it does not hurt. If one does not remind you – it won’t hurt. And – will not change. But the pain – will not disappear, it will just hide. At least, if we talk about internal lack of freedom...

Domestic price: 89.64UAH, International price: $19.92USD

Volodymyr Verminsky, Aktsent. Vidlunnja kryjivky. (The Echo of Kryivka)

"The Echo of Kryivka" is an author's project by the poet and musician, a known bard Olexander Smyk. We have more than once represented his albums at our store before – the audience has long known Smyk as a truly interesting, intelligent author. Well, and the project's implementation in life was undertaken by Volodymyr Verminsky together with the group "Accent" created by him several years ago.

Domestic price: 49.14UAH, International price: $10.92USD

Ne smije buty v nas strakhu. Songs of the liberation contest of the Ukrainian people, 1914-1952. (Dare Not Have Fear Among Us)

The name of the collection, on the whole, provides rather exhaustive information about its content. If you know at least something about this period of the Ukrainian history – probably, some of the songs represented here will be familiar to you as well. Because no matter how hard the official authorities tried, they did not manage to destroy the living memory..

Domestic price: 49.14UAH, International price: $10.92USD

Volodymyr Verminsky. Jshly selom partyzany.

You will hear songs about war at this disc, but they are all lyrical ones. In no circumstances I would deny that partisans were heroes. But still any hero is in the first place a human being. And all possible feelings which exist in life are peculiar to every human being. That’s why you can find everything here – sadness, love, despair and hope. In one word, life.

Domestic price: 53.64UAH, International price: $11.92USD