Burum - Llef (2022)

Burum is a sextet co-led by the Williams brothers Tomos (trumpet) and Daniel (tenor sax). Originally from Aberystwyth the brothers are now based in Cardiff and the Burum line up includes some of the finest jazz musicians on the South Wales scene in the shapes of pianist Dave Jones, bassist Aidan Thorne and drummer Mark O’Connor. The band is completed by Ceri Rhys Matthews, a folk musician who specialises on the wooden flute. Matthews is very much the ‘wild card’ of the group and his contributions do much to give Burum their unique group sound.

The Burum project has its genesis in the Welsh folk group Fernhill which includes Tomos Williams and Matthews alongside singer Julie Murphy and others. Since 2007 Burum have been carving out their own distinctive musical niche with their jazz arrangements of traditional Welsh folk tunes and hymns. “Llef”, meaning “The Cry” is their third album of such material following in the wake of the acclaimed “Alawon” (meaning “Tunes”) from 2007 and the excellent “Caniadau” (“Songs”) from 2012. The group name Burum means “yeast”, which I’ve always felt to an appropriate moniker given the way that they transform their chosen source material into something new, seemingly by a process of musical alchemy.

Tracklist:
1.01 - Burum - Llef (Intro) (0:44)
1.02 - Burum - Titrwm Tatrwm (6:04)
1.03 - Burum - Pryd O'wn ar Ddiwrnod (7:03)
1.04 - Burum - Clyw Di'r Claf (4:59)
1.05 - Burum - Gwêl yr Adeilad (3:41)
1.06 - Burum - Y Gwydr Glas (5:01)
1.07 - Burum - Heol Ddu (5:18)
1.08 - Burum - Migldi Magldi (1:07)
1.09 - Burum - Moel Emoel (4:03)
1.10 - Burum - Ffarwel i Aberystwyth (7:56)
1.11 - Burum - Mynwent Eglwys (3:42)
1.12 - Burum - Llef (6:37)