Ritka Magyar Vol 1

The folk music revival in Hungary, and the dance house scene that was its driving force, are now nigh-on half a century old, and the string band Téka have been part of it almost from the start. The five musicians are joined here by singer Beatrix Tárnoki in five lengthy sets of dances and songs, each from a different village, which progress through a number of different melodies, tempi and rhythmic patterns, all the time maintaining a powerful rhythmic pulse, digging in on the first beat in a sinewy, propulsive fashion.

It's very clearly dance music, and the recording would be ideal for dancers or folklore groups, but the infectious drive of the musicians and the elegance of the arrangements makes it good listening music as well. Like so much music from the Hungarian revival, the source of the songs and dances lies in the Hungarian minority in Romania, where older forms are held to have been preserved after vanishing from the modern post-imperial nation. A fine way to mark the band's 40th anniversary.