SALTARELLO

Once upon a time, there was a group of musicians who openly embraced the medieval traditions of minstrels playing music with gentle vibrancy, and infused a fair amount of magical tendencies. They called themselves Magicfolk. Led by multi-instrumentalists Michelle and Ben Glover, the prog-folk tradition lives on mightily, composing original material as well as new readings of traditional themes. A merry cast of guest players adorn the rich compositions, including my good friend Colin Mold on guitar, bass, mandolin and violin. "Saltarello" is their third release and a landmark within the prog-folk universe, loaded up with vibrant instrumental reels that scream out their Brit/Celtic heritage, voice-propelled ballads that conjure up images of raconteurs and troubadours and even a full-blown epic prog-rock finale (Babylon) that yearns for even more distant adventures. Michelle Glover's voice has a highly melodic tone that convinces immediately and the arrangements are rich and stimulating, within a kind of complex simplicity that is utterly endearing.

Well within the glorious treasure chest of other prog-folk masterpieces such as Minimum Vital's "Sarabandes" and the recent "Pavanes", as well as works by Shine Dion, Blackmore's Night, Bededeum, Gian Castello, Merlin Bird, Motis and even Loreena McKennitt, this tremendous album is a pure joy to listen to, even as gentle background music in conducting daily activities. The musicianship is stellar, passionate and, well ? magical! The songs are complementary to all styles, a wide variety of moods and styles such as the Byzantine/Middle Eastern influences that are obvious on tracks such as "Kozanis" and "Mekhutonim Tants". Instrumental intermezzos such as "Maggie in the Woods", "Parson's Farewell", "Horses Brawl" and the opener title track all wink at classic folk mannerisms and are instantly gratifying. Then contrast all that splendor with energetic and hypnotic folk vocal gems such as the flute-driven "Dance of the Honey Bee", the sensational "Beltaine (Calin Mai)" and the rollicking and rocky "Bedlam Boys".

"Babylon" is a six minute extravaganza that is perhaps closer to British band Iona, a vocal-led musical adventure that conjures sonic images of the Holy Land and beyond, a historical voyage that reeks of coffee, sand, cardamom and dates, a bizarre bazaar of flutes, mandolins, violin and a dual guitar barrage that evokes khamsin-like winds, a thoroughly ethereal trip into the faraway fantasy of the past.

The artwork conveys the unpretentious loveliness that the music contains, a lush, vibrant, joyous and exalting collection of wondrous music. When your mood shifts away from the tectonic shelling of prog-metal and various other purveyors of athletic heaviness, Magicfolk will heal your weary bones and aching muscles. A stunning surprise that deserves a wider audience.

5 enchanted vernaculars