IVA BITTOVÁ & ČIKORI

After four years, Iva Bittova returned to her collaboration with acoustic guitarist Vladimír Václavek (in 1997she recorded successful album as duo with him - Bilé Inferno). Three more musicians on Čikori are the same as on Bilé Inferno. So, you can expect similar music, and you will be right.

Album's opener "Kočka" ("The Cat") is a great visit card of all album - minimalistic acoustic composition with Iva's scratching vocals, absolutely influenced by early Kate Bush, but played in avnt-pop key, with Arabic folk influence, brass and bluegrass acoustic guitar.

Then, listener will hear all the line acoustic guitar-led compositions, combining avant-pop with bluesy roots, Middle East singing techniques, violin sketches , regulated cacophony of minimalistic sounds. And - her Gypsy roots music, Slavic folklore, free jazz elements, Balkan fusion, etc.

The last album's composition ("Kazu") is free jazz world improv.

Happily, incorporating so many different elements in her music, the sound stays still very atmospheric and almost minimal. No overuse of instruments or arrangement at all. Great album from one of the greatest Eastern European folk avant fusion artist.

It's not often that I get to listen to something which is more beautiful than it is bizarre coming from Avant/RIO. Sure, there is beauty in the music of many of the artists' works, but it's a more unconventional type than is evident here. I first heard of Iva Bittová while watching videos related to Fred Frith on Youtube, but didn't really look into her music further at that point. I'm sad that it took me so long to do so, because this album, at least, is really wonderful. We're treated to an entirely acoustic sound here, with Iva's violin and vocals being most prominent, along with Václavek's guitar. Iva's vocal style is definitely unconventional, but from the first time I heard her sing it grabbed me somehow. That's how this album was for me in general, in fact. I didn't know what it was that I liked about it, but I knew I definitely enjoyed what I was hearing. As Slava said above, there is definitely some influence from Middle Eastern musics, along with many other styles. It's not done in an overly showy way, though, as some other groups who are known for their genre-blending can seem to be. Rather, it's a sublime method, and one which I'm sure many listeners would enjoy. I would recommend this album as quickly to Folk fans as to Avant fans...indeed, when I first heard it I thought it was more fit for the Folk crowd.

I would say that the people who are most likely to enjoy this album are those who like quiet experimentation in their music and/or those who enjoy entirely acoustic ensembles. I'm fairly sure it would appeal to a rather wider audience as well. Definitely an excellent addition to your collection, and a nice way to step away from the normal avant sound (as if there is such a thing, anyway).