Gula Gula

Fragile, urgent and strong, Gula Gula reveals itself within the first 20 seconds of the title-track as one of the most powerful and important albums of our time: there’s an intake of breath, then Boine’s hushed tones, rapidly crescendoing, gritty and purposeful, with a mysterious and compelling beauty. First released in 1989 before being issued by Peter Gabriel’s Real World label, it kick-started Boine’s exceptional worldwide career as a singer and composer whose music is rooted in her Sámi ancestry and its struggles, underpinned by the human spirit and nature, and the traditions of vocal joik.

Now, Gula Gula has been re-released. Time has made it only more vigorous and deeply relevant: ‘Hear the voices of the foremothers, why do you allow the earth to be polluted and poisoned?’ The Sámi language is so musical and Boine makes it purr; it’s percussive and earthy, fluid and lyrical.

There are tracks that are desperately heartbreaking (‘Balu Badjel Go Vuoittán’) and witty (‘Oppskrift for Herrefolk’), and throughout, (including two bonus tracks from the original sessions), there are reminders of the thrill of Boine and her band live in concert still spreading their eagle wings across the world. A legendary singer, a legendary album.