Our dear friends at CPL-Music have a release I am rather excited about. It should be available on the 31st of January, 2025, so our wait time is not so long. You can pre-order the disc here.
From the label’s press release:
“The Baltic Sisters are a cross-border folk ensemble uniting four singers from Lithuania, Estonia, and Latvia. Their shared passion for “Sutartinės” — traditional Lithuanian polyphonic songs — first brought them together. By chance, the quartet met at the Womex music showcase in Lisbon in 2022, and from there, their journey began.
Their debut album, “Värav/ Vārti / Vartai” (The Gateway or The Portal), offers a blend of Latvian, Lithuanian, and Estonian folk songs, sometimes presented individually, sometimes seamlessly interwoven. The result is a soundscape as unique as it is timeless. “Our first album is like a portal into the world of traditional Baltic folk music — shaped by our personal interpretations. These songs brought us together. We explored each other’s musical roots and made them our own,” says singer Liene Skrebiska.
“We represent three nations on the Baltic Sea that have stood by each other in both turbulent and triumphant moments of history. While distinct, we share much: a common past, a hard-won freedom, and a home by the sea. Our cultures are rich, and our languages ancient. Latvian and Lithuanian are the last remaining Baltic languages, remarkable for their archaic elements that echo Sanskrit. Estonian, from the Finno-Ugric family, is different yet deeply connected. Exploring ancient folk songs, we uncover even more similarities and redefine what it means to share a Baltic heritage,” the quartet reflects on the album’s significance.”
CPL-Music never disappoint. Their place as one of the best labels working in World Music remains secure.
