Na nashij julojci. Ukrainian ethnic music.

There is some general impression of this entire story. A simple impression. Thank God, there still exist people on the earth who in contrast to most of us not only listen to songs. These are the people who sing. These are the people who make recordings.

It appeared that the folk art of Polissya got the reputation of being conservative and archaic. Still, it quite understandable, as due to the peculiarities of its landscape, this locality has always been difficult of access. That’s the very reason why it has always been more difficult to influence upon the local culture than anywhere else. Though, on the other hand, people who got to those parts stayed there for a long time – as a result, a deep synthesis of German-Baltic-Slavic cultures took place there. This is what historians say (in a more or less free interpretation). And it means that there is something to be found here. This album has appeared as a result of the research work held within the last ten years. The recordings were made not in a studio, but exactly in the country, using unprofessional equipment – in such a way they create the atmosphere of a hut or a street of a village somewhere in Polissya. I think, it is not a drawback, because naturalness and ease of performance are worth of such approach. You can easily imagine wrinkles around eyes, work-weary hands and skin darkened of the sun. Simple, warm and dry music of singing – like wrinkles or work-weary hands. It is difficult to explain or to describe these voices, but for me they seem to shine. So quietly.

Anton Jozhik Leyba (Hedgehog)

"Ukrainian Ethnic Music" series came out of many ethnographical expeditions to different region of Ukraine. Compact discs have stylish design. In the colourful booklets you will find information about the places where recordings were made, stories about performers, lyrics of the songs etc. Information is given in Ukrainian and English.