Luoteniegut

Joik vocalist Ulla Pirttijärvi is among northern Finland’s strongest Indigenous voices. Pirttijärvi combines her powerful singing with West African influences in her trio, Áššu. The name means ‘Glowing Embers’, and that sense of warmth permeates the group’s second album. With a more layered, contemporary sound than the band’s 2019 debut, the focus is firmly on Pirttijärvi’s exceptional voice, which ranges from breathy on ‘Guoldu / Cold Wind’ to forceful on ‘Guovžža Fámut’ / The Power Of The Bear’. Pirttijärvi has sympathetic backing from Norwegians, including Hildegunn Øiseth, who guests on the ancient bukkehorn (goat horn). Kenneth Ekornes replaces percussionist Harald Skullerud, who died during early work on the album and is remembered in ‘Eahketroađđi’ / Sunset’. Olav Torget provides electronics, vocals, ngoni and guitar, injecting fuzzy desert blues into tunes like ‘Luoddaearru / The Crossroads’. West African and Sámi sounds are an odd mix – but a surprising pleasure.