Tundra Electro - Mountain of Ancestors (2023) [Hi-Res]

Hálde áhkku, spirit of the ancient ancestors dwelling in the shrouded mountains of Sapmi in the arctic regions of Scandinavia. This mythical female is depicted in the title track on the album Halde Ahkku - Mountain of Ancestors and forms the backdrop of the music released on the latest album by the group Tundra Electro.

Tundra Electro was started in 2017 by sami vocalist Inga-Maret Gaup-Juuso from the north of Finland and Oslo-based musician and producer Patrick Shaw Iversen. They quickly established themselves as one of the leading groups emerging from the pulsating music scene of Sapmi, touring throughout Scandinavia and Europe.

The music on the album is based on the traditional vocal style of the Sami people from the arctic regions of Scandinavia, the yoik, which is considered one of the oldest vocal traditions of Europe. Traditionally the yoik is performed a cappella but has gone through a huge transformation by Sami artists, renewing and developing the age-old tradition of the Sami people.

The album contains 9 predominantly female yoiks, some ancient dating back more than 100 years, and some new written by Ingá-Máret Gaup-Juuso. Gaup-Juuso is herself a reindeer herder living and working in the tundra of northern Finland when she is not touring with Tundra Electro. As both the language and the yoik is in danger of disappearing, she is very conscious about keeping the Sami traditions alive. The yoik was forbidden for decades in Scandinavia due to colonial and religious efforts to suppress the Sami culture and, astonishingly, still is in certain areas where religious fundamentalism still prevails.

What distinguishes the music of Tundra Electro is their unique combination of Sami yoik with classical Indian music, introduced by virtuoso violinist Harpreet Bansal. Together with their blend of electronics and improvised music performed by pioneer flutist Patrick Shaw Iversen and drummer par excellence Kenneth Ekornes, Tundra Electro has developed a distinct and totally unique sound and style.

All the music is composed, arranged, and produced by Patrick Shaw Iversen in collaboration with the band. Hálde áhkku – Mountain of Ancestors is released on Bugge Wesseltoft’s label Ok World Records/Jazzland Records and is the second album by Tundra Electro.

Line-up:

Ingá-Máret Gaup-Juuso - Yoik, vocal
Patrick Shaw Iversen - Contrabass-flute, bass-flute, alto-flute, c-flute, electronics, keyboards, bottles
Harpreet Bansal - Violin
Kenneth Ekornes - Drums, percussion

Tracklist:
1.01 - Tundra Electro - Hálde áhkku (5:38)
1.02 - Tundra Electro - Ánne-Ovllá Sire (6:37)
1.03 - Tundra Electro - Anne Marie Jaurun (4:42)
1.04 - Tundra Electro - Joatkka Elle (6:59)
1.05 - Tundra Electro - The Female Reindeer (4:29)
1.06 - Tundra Electro - Voice from the West (5:45)
1.07 - Tundra Electro - Dolin Lei (5:54)
1.08 - Tundra Electro - Stones of Life (5:32)
1.09 - Tundra Electro - The Future (5:28)