Folk World Svjata Vatra “Svitlyi schljah” CD review by Eelco Schilder 2013

Svjata Vatra “Svitlyi Schljah”
Own label, 2013  

 

Gogol Bordello meets the Kalevala, dance music that makes a difference! Trombonist Ruslan Trochynskyi had played in Ukrainian folk rock band Haydamaky. In 2005 he moved to Estonia and formed the group Svjata Vatra (holy fire in Ukrainian) with local Estonian musicians. These days it is the trio of Kulno Malva (accordion, bagpipes), Juhan Suits (bagpipes, wooden horn, whistle) and Martin Aulis (drums, percussion). Ruslan, the spiritual leader of Svjata Vatra, is a unique trombone player as well as a keen vocalist, and along the way using the scythe as a rhythm instrument. As previous releases, their fourth studio album “Svitlyi Schljah” (A Brighter Way) blends Ukrainian and Estonian roots, kiddies’ game songs and runo songs, with punk and rock aesthetics.

© Walkin’ T:-)M