|
Discography
Wimme’s self-titled debut offers a beautifully original approach to yoik music. Wimme was released 1995. This recording is the most traditional sounding of all of his titles, containing four traditional Luohti yoiks: "Jusse-vilba," "Domná," "Bieggajorri" and "Álbmái." "Wimme is a star, no doubt about it, someone whose gift goes beyond genre…one of the most perfect fusions yet." – Rhythm Music "These songs are achingly beautiful, starkly ornamented. This is how modern folk music should sound." – CMJ Buy "Wimme" online:
"Gierran"
Gierran ("Enchantment") was released in September 1997. Gierran continues where Wimme left off, a logical development from the debut. Again working with RinneRadio and Tapani Rinne as producer, Gierran goes further in combining the Wimme’s original rootsy yoiks and the modern ambient sounds of RinneRadio. The music on Gierran has more rhythm elements than before, and leans towards the avant-garde in its experimentalism. "Arvedávgi" tells the story of a reindeer’s life from May to July, from birth to the earmarking. The traditional solo yoik "Rievssat" is about the enemies of the snow grouse. "Oainnáhus" ("Vision") is a trip in the landscape that starts from the home mountain and continues through the frosty sky painted by Northern Lights to the real world opening behind the stars (a version of "Oainnáhus" also appears on Annbjørg Lien’s Baba Yaga CD). Gierran offers an exciting aural trip and explores new musical landscapes. 2000 Records 2 Die 4: "Couple this shamanistic chant style with a wide instrumental dynamic ranging from pounding drums and electronic bass to frosty ambient sketches of acoustic sound, and you’ve got a solid set of tunes that grab you by the ears and keep you locked in place." Buy "Gierran" online:
"Cugu"
Cugu ("Puppy") was released simultaneously in Europe and North America in September 2000. Again, Wimme works with RinneRadio and Tapani Rinne as producer. As their relationship grows closer with their third project together, the atmosphere of Cugu pulls you deeper into the enveloping dreamscape of Wimme. Buy "Cugu" online:
"Bárru"
Following the departure of Tapani Rinne in late 2001 to concentrate on his own band RinneRadio, Wimme became a trio. Jari and Matti took full production control of the new album Bárru ("Wave"), released in April/May 2003 on Rockadillo, Westpark and NorthSide. Bárru is Wimme's 4th release, and it is as astonishing as the previous three. Surprises lurk around every corner, as does a constant sense of playfulness. Using electronics, an array of plucked string instruments, various sound effects, and most of all, his astonishing range of sounds, Wimme and his band create a comprehensive and wholly unique listening experience. Hedningarna singers Tellu Turkku and Liisa Matveinen provide guest backup vocals. Bárru is the first Wimme album where Jari Kokkonen and Matti Wallenius work also as producers. They both have been in the band from the beginning and as Tapani Rinne decided to concentrate on RinneRadio in the autumn of 2001, Jari and Matti took over the band for real. New material started to get ready quickly and most of the tracks on the album have been in Wimme's concert program for over a year. On Bárru Wimme Saari's joik parts were recorded Kelottijärvi and Äkäslompolo, his birth area. The guests on the album, Swedish band Hedningarna's Finnish female voices Tellu Turkka and Liisa Matveinen were taped in Minneapolis, U.S.A., at Nordic Roots festival, in a hotel room session. Bárru is Wimme's fourth album and a strong proof that group is just getting better and better. Wimme Saari is a pioneer of the modern joik and an international Sámi superstar. Buy "Bárru" online:
"Gapmu"
Wimme Saari’s very first solo album Gapmu (Instict) was released in Finland for Christmas 2003. The North American release followed in Spring 2004. Gapmu is pure joik and joik only. Buy "Gapmu" online:
"Mun"
Mun ("Me") is Wimme's return to his roots and to the acoustic soundscape. Wimme’s deeply emotional vocals are the center around which the music floats. Tapani Rinne (clarinets) and Juuso Hannukainen (percussion), two main musicians from the Finnish experimental band RinneRadio, and Matti Wallenius on acoustic string instruments, give shape and depth to Wimme’s joik, creating an eerie, spiritual and atmospheric effect. Sequencers and synthesizers are gone, and the new band is acoustic and close to the roots in a contemporary way, with RinneRadio’s sound guru Tuomas Norvio adding some tasteful electronics into the mix. Buy "Mun" online:
|
 |
