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Nikolai Galen Stemme 8 Galen- vocals
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Istanbul-based Galen recorded these extended vocals in Oslo and it’s a marvel. 35 short pieces of inspired work, it reminds me of listening to Meredith Monk’s Dolmen Music for the first time. In other words, it’s ear-opening and some of the best in this niche ever recorded. Not exactly like Monk’s work because it’s not composed (at least as far as I can tell). Moans, wails, wavery speech, lamentations, screams, ruminations, purgations, overtone singing-it’s a heady collection, and not for the faint of heart. It’s astonishing, ground-breaking and fearless, too. I can’t identify for sure any of the languages he sometimes sings in and I don’t want to, it would only spoil the mystery. It’s finally more outré than Monk, more varied than Diamanda Galas. Impeccably recorded with plenty of echo where it counts, just at the times when it needs extra dramatic punch. One of the most arresting cd’s I’ve ever reviewed.
Richard Grooms
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