Korrontzi
Album: Getxo (CD + DVD)
Label: baga - biga
Tracks: 16(CD)/23(DVD)
Website: http://www.myspace.com/korrontzi

One of the outcomes of previously booking artists for folk clubs, venues and festivals is that I continue to receive email newsletters from both agents and artists themselves. Admittedly some of these go straight into the recycle bin but there are a few I always read and check out the artists the agent is promoting.

One of the 'must read' missives comes from Ian Smith of the Frusion agency who specialises in some of the best bands from Europe and further afield. It is thanks to Ian that I have been introduced to the Basque ensemble Korrontzi - possibly the most exciting band I have ever seen (with the possible exception of Los De Abajo but its very, very close indeed and I saw them live!)

Watching their video channel on You Tube made acquiring their CD/DVD of a live gig at the 2008 Getxo Folk Festival an absolute priority - and I have hardly stopped playing these discs since! Even after multiple listens and watches the sheer thrill induced by their music has not lessened one iota.

The band is led by Angus Barandiaran whose playing of the trikitixa (Basque diatonic accordion) and incredibly addictive tunes are the main reasons for all this adulation - but certainly not the only ones. The sound of the alboka (a small but powerful horn) and whistles played by Iker Lope de Bergara adds further excitement to many of the tracks and the whole experience is made perfect by an incredibly tight supporting cast of bass, drums, guitars, bouzouki, and mandolin. Though the band majors on instrumentals in a wide variety of Basque styles (with one featuring the fabulous gaita playing of Susanna Seivane and the final track on both the CD and DVD, 'Belardi', sounding uncannily like the tune to the Shamen's 'Ebeneezer Goode') there is still room for some excellent vocal tracks. The most striking of these are those featuring the female vocal polyphonic quartet Faltiqueria, though ballad singer Mikel Urdangarin also adds a further touch of class to the proceedings in the beautiful songs Panderotxoa and Ametsak.

The CD is an edited and reprogrammed version of the concert shown on the DVD - which is extremely well filmed throughout thus adding visual pleasure to the aural delights.

I can only urge you to watch the You Tube clips and then invest in this astonishing package (available from the label web site) - or, even better, go see them at Cambridge Folk Festival this year - or anywhere else they get to play!!!

Joe Grint