Sväng

Finnish harmonica band with two albums as yet: Jarruta and Sväng. The new harmonica quartet Sväng is no stranger to the world music crowd. Led by Jouko Kyhälä, a master musician with a doctor's degree on harmonica, the ensemble bring forth a set of original compositions with depth very few would normally associate with harmonica groups. Having performed the world over performing material lifted from their two critically acclaimed Aito Records albums ("Sväng" was released in 2004 and "Jarruta in 2008), Sväng function on stage as a tight unit, where four top-notch harmonica visionaries breathe life into one vision of music that fuses together Nordic and Balkan influences, effortlessly bending both worlds, everything in between and beyond. Personality, character, professionalism, vision, and intensity are among the adjectives which could be used to characterise Sväng and their celebrated live sets. This harmonica attack from Finland has to be heard to be believed. “It's probably safe to say they're the world's leading mouth-organ ensemble.” Simon Broughton, The London Evening Standard (*****)