OLE LUKKOYE

Ole Lukkoye's particular blend of folk music-inspired elements, space rock aesthetics, effects and electronic and bass details that at times is somewhat closer related to modern dance music and trance makes for an intriguing blend. Their elongated journeys are hypnotic and compelling, and the use of vocals and chants also adds a mystical sheen to them that makes these escapades all the more alluring, at least for someone born and raised within a western culture. Fans of a band like Ozric Tentacles should be first in line to give this album a spin, and then especially those more fond of the folk-tinged exploits by that band.

Vocals with transcendental respectively shamanic expression always play an important role for the band, this so much the more here on 'Dyatly', presented by Ness Yanushkovskaya and Boris. Four tracks are really extended ones, solely the song, whose title I mentioned at the very start, steps out of line. OLE LUKKOYE offer fine tribal percussion driven excursions, mirroring a blend of ethno, kraut and psych elements. I will not exclude that the album might be a matter of a controversial discussion. For one or two this may be a tad too monotonic over the course ... but those who already have got a disposition for such a musical approach, and/or are willing to invest enough time, will be totally captured sooner or later, that's for sure!

OLE LUKKOYE are stepping up with the initial idea to stay as close as possible to the original live sound based on intuitive spontaneity. Only some percussion and vocals are overdubbed. Well, the percussion ... although it all starts a little bit creepy due to the appearance of a howling wolf ... Kommuna Ra immediately evolves into a superb direction. They are evoking a mesmerizing trance atmosphere which is coupled with a belly dance Middle East flair due to djembe and darabouka. This might not be that spectacular as such, but augmented by a well put bass line and Ness' improvised vocals the band's uniqueness establishes more and more.

In between Frol appears with an animal-like expression of his bassoon and gradually synths as well as the echoing space guitar are attaining more impact. Wow ... this song serves a really captivating while hypnotic flow at the best possible rate. As stylistically most divergent let me also mention the song Bela Dama which shows some leanings to triphop, just closer to a Ozric Tentacles alike manner. 'Dyatly' offers more than sixty inspired minutes of trippy music. The crystal clear sound is striking. I find this a successful blend of vintage ethno atmosphere and modern technical approach. If you're looking for a new challenge you shouldn't miss that.

If a blend of psychedelic rock, ethnic music and space rock sounds enticing, and the band's own description of their music as ethnic trance doesn't put you off, chances are good that you'll revel in the sophisticated exploits of Russian act Ole Lukkoye. Sporting a plethora of exotic sounds, keyboard layers and vocals either spoken or chanted in a shamanistic manner, their blend of folk-inspired space rock is of a kind that should have a broad appeal, with fans of acts such as Ozric Tentacles a likely key audience.

They have a clear bias towards ethno flavoured songs with a tribal percussion background. And at this they blend ancient and modern elements to something very unique. Some years ago - at the end of 2003 exactly - I could take the chance to enjoy one of their live events at my little hometown. This blend of trance, space, ethno, chill out and folk was simply impressing! While exploring the ten songs you will recognize that OLE LUKKØYE use an unexhaustible reservoir of instruments. Just take the opener Zapara where I decided to use my headphones after some rounds in order to capture all the fascinating details at best really.

A skillfully arranged song, provided with oriental touch, which showcases a wondrous hypnotic groove forced by Lavrinenko's bass and diverse percussion instruments. Accordion, cello, diverse synthesizer impressions are smuggled in quite natural. The electric guitar is well placed sounding close to a saz but also psychedelic to the core ... and the deep-toned vocals (more of recitative practically) are rather hypnotizing - a wonderful mood they create!

Melting is provided with a stoic stomping triphop rhythm, based on samples I'm sure, but never mind - my OLE LUKKØYE favourite since I've heard it for the first time - the band is also drifting towards a stronger spacey outfit in particular. This song bears an irresistible spirit - difficult to explain why exactly - including hypnotic bass, psychedelic guitar, cosmic voice samples. Zagoralos' is dedicated to fill the dancefloor at your next progressive disco event for sure. Tatjana Kalmykova adds transcendental vocals here.

'Petroglyphs' offers great variety which probably not immediately becomes accessible, besides the cornucopia of instruments we have also a bunch of related styles included here which is simply amazing ... psych/space, trance, dub, triphop, Klezmer, new electronica, folk, indo/raga, shamanism, native indian chanting aso aso ... successfully mixed together as if this is the easiest thing in the world.

While mastered/edited in New York the label announces 'Petroglyphs' as provided with improved sound quality - and I agree with compliment - this is a sonic adventure. Although their style is very independent ... if someone might be seriously interested to have a clue about some analogy to other bands ... I would name Korai Öröm and ColorStar first due to this tribal groove all over ... which means after a while several songs are simply provoking to get your feets off the table and to dance. One or two may have to make friends with this unusual vocals first ... and then at the latest the door is open to enjoy something really special.