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The Otherworld Cycle (visions of the Kalevala, land of my Grandmothers)

Rent Romus

Label: Edgetone Records
Released: 2015
Views: 1,958

Tracks

1.Lahja (The Gift read in English) 00:48; 2.Elements at play 02:58; 3.Veden Voima (Power of Water) 13:36; 4.Sing into the deep below 02:20; 5.Syvälle Juureen (Deep to the Root) 04:50; 6.Balance on the razor edge 01:55;7.Poikennut Puukko (The Broken Knife) 08:15;8.Lahja (The Gift read in Finnish) 00:52;9.North Wind South Wind 02:52;10.Traveler upon the waves, iron and blood 05:20;11.Body of Memories 03:59;12.Hiiden hirven jahti (Chasing the spirit elk) 04:47;13.Toisella puolella (On the other side) 06:22;14.Vaka Vanha Väinämöinen (Steady Old Väinämöinen) 05:30;15.The Broken Knife (alternate take) (bonus) 09:40

Personnel

Rent Romus

saxophone, alto

Additional Personnel / Information

Ron Heglin:voice; Jason Hoopes:bass; Heikki Koskinen:tenor recorder, E-trumpet, flutes, kantele; Bob Marsh:voice; Joshua Marshall:tenor saxophone; Lisa Mezzacappa:bass; Bill Noertker:bass; Suki O'Kane:percussion, vibes; Timothy Orr:drums, percussion; Crystal Pascucci:cello; Mark Pino:percussion, bells; Mika Pontecorvo:flutes, rocks; Shanna Sordahl:cello; Rent Romus:alto saxophone, kantele, flutes, bells

Album Description

Digital Merch edit navigation bar The Otherworld Cycle (visions of the Kalevala, land of my Grandmothers) by Rent Romus' Life's Blood Ensemble new Wishlist supported by Jeffrey Perry thumbnail So_Called_Joe thumbnail Matt Davignon thumbnail Paul McNees thumbnail DJDP3000 thumbnail Diego Villaseñor thumbnail Poikennut Puukko (The Broken Knife) 00:00 / 08:15 Streaming + Download Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more. $10 USD or more Edit Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album package image Includes unlimited streaming of The Otherworld Cycle (visions of the Kalevala, land of my Grandmothers) via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more. ships out within 2 days $15 USD or more 1. Lahja (The Gift read in English) 00:48 2. Elements at play 02:58 3. Veden Voima (Power of Water) 13:36 4. Sing into the deep below 02:20 5. Syvälle Juureen (Deep to the Root) 04:50 6. Balance on the razor edge 01:55 7. Poikennut Puukko (The Broken Knife) 08:15 8. Lahja (The Gift read in Finnish) 00:52 9. North Wind South Wind 02:52 10. Traveler upon the waves, iron and blood 05:20 11. Body of Memories 03:59 12. Hiiden hirven jahti (Chasing the spirit elk) 04:47 13. Toisella puolella (On the other side) 06:22 14. Vaka Vanha Väinämöinen (Steady Old Väinämöinen) 05:30 15. The Broken Knife (alternate take) (bonus) 09:40 about The Otherworld Cycle is the culmination of over fourteen years of research of the Finno-Ugric traditions and music. The Cycle consists of a series of new compositions and improvisations inspired by the poems of the Finnish National Epic known as the Kalavela, as well as Karelian regional folk songs, and Sami Joik song elements of the native peoples of the north. The “other world” thematic, abstractly references the lost Finnish heritage and “Body of Memory” embedded in Romus’ musical psyche refracted through the multi-faceted lens of improvisation and postmodern jazz. The first elements of the Otherworld Cycle took hold after Romus returned home from touring in Northern Europe in the mid-nineties. His experiences lead to continued research into the rich music and culture of his roots from Finland and the surrounding regions that hold a long and mystic history dating back to the end of the last ice age. Like many Americans whose families emigrated from other parts of the world, much of the details of Romus’ cultural identity, language and traditions were lost to integration over time. As a third generation Finnish American he has spent the last fourteen years delving deep into his roots piecing together stories from his family, photos of family members, and researching the depths of Finnish cultural history land of his grandmothers. “The other world is a place we all carry with us. Deep inside it manifests as unknown melodies while walking down the street, a feeling of Déjà Vu for people and places we’ve never been before, and a kinship with people we’ve never known.” - Rent Romus The Kalevala also known as the Finish National Epic tells of the mysterious worlds, heros, weddings, life, death, and the power of the Finnish spirit. The basis for the Kalevala are rune poems (runot), constructed as Karelian folk songs originally passed on through oral tradition as far back as five millennia. Much later these were documented in the 19th century by physician, botanist and linguist Elias Lönnrot. Dr. Lönnrot assembled them under the banner of the Kalevala which helped to define modern Finnish cultural national identity and shaping a path to an independent Finnish nation. Interweaving within the Kalevala are influences from the folklore of the native Northern Sami people who based on current research share a connection to early Finnish inhabitants dating as far back as eight thousand years. Musically the Sami are best known for their songs under the descriptive heading of Joik (Yoik). Unlike songs about a particular subject Joik are songs of people, objects, animals, or spirits.

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