At the heart of the Murmurosi quartet is the duo of Natalia Telentso (vocals) and Eli Camilo (vocals, trumpet, trombone, and piano). It is also the same duo that carries the famous ecstatic post-punk/ska/rock/Ukrainian trad band Dumai Dunai, which we have often written about on this site. Murmurosi is based on the same foundations of polyphonic singing that is characteristic of Ukrainian culture, both traditional and classical, but in a substantially different way than with Dumai Dunai. First of all, with Murmurosi, it is the acoustic sound that is privileged. No electric bass then, nor any prominent guitar riffs.
Natalia and Eli are accompanied by Josh Greenberg (guitar, oud, bouzouki, etc.) and Émilou Johnson (double bass) in a play of colours that magnifies the different cultural universes visited. For this is also a characteristic dimension of Murmurosi: Romania, Greece, the Balkans in general, and other members of the extended Eastern European family to which Ukraine is increasingly attached, especially since the Russian invasion, are invited to the party. The framework of the Ukrainian polyphonic style and its undulating and richly harmonic universe supports with great ease the distinctive landscapes of its European neighbours.
Yes, there is some of that in Dumai Dunai as well, but it seems that Murmurosi’s acoustic formula brings out the regional and stylistic textures more prominently. Thus, Murmurosi becomes a case made for a Ukrainian culture rooted in that of a larger region, that of Eastern Europe. A strong and symbolic affirmation that this country, and especially its people and culture, exist outside the oppressive fold of its shared history with Russia and especially the recent attempt by the latter to erase it.
There are some very strong titles like Liuli and Oy Yuriyu with their irresistible melodies and rhythms. Also others like Tsykhanka Vorozhka and its beautiful vocal harmonies. And then, let’s note the excellent arrangements, whose responsible party I unfortunately do not know. But, at the top of this list sits Natalia Telentso, whose powerful and magnificent voice carries as much the word, the style, and the soul of this music and its message.
This first album of the ensemble will, we hope, be the start of something lasting and that will shine everywhere in order to carry the voice of a Ukraine that is still very much alive and fully rooted in the great European family. Incidentally, the title of the album, Svitanok, means “dawn.”
