Trio Kavkasia - O Morning Breeze: Traditional Songs from Georgia [CD]

Wedged between Turkey and Russia, the Republic of Georgia is older than both countries. Musically, it's more like an island, with a deep-rooted polyphonic vocal tradition (music in several independent voices) completely distinct from all cultures around it. Proudly carrying the folk music of Georgia into the 21st century is the vocal unit, Trio Kavkasia, who have immersed themselves into this original vocal styling which was in full bloom around the Ninth Century. Consisting of three Americas, tenors Alan Gasser and Carl Linich, and Stuart Gelzer singing bass; they have collectively dedicated more than 40 years to this unique East-European music. And they've done it with respect and an archeological attention to detail. Over 25 tracks of liturgical tunes and secular ballads, not to mention happy drinking songs sung at taverns and weddings, O Morning Breeze is a remarkable achievement and musical experience. While some aspects, such as Georgian liturgical music, have been documented since the Middle Ages, other folk elements are entirely passed on orally, with wax cylinders from the turn of the century as it's earliest snapshot documentation.