Troitsa
Zimachka
Troitsa -who describe themselves as an "Ethna-Trio"- are from Belarus, with an open, mysterious and often meditative sound. The founder, Ivan Ivanovich Kirchuk, is a senior lecturer at the Minsk University Of Culture, but he looks more like arch sonic explorer Steven Stapleton with long, wispy and graying goatee and a penchant for round spectacles. The sound also is anything but academic. Small percussion instruments, whistles and kalimba add to the atmosphere created by Ivan's intimate rendering of the songs. He transmits a real depth of intent - which together with the interplay between the musicians makes this CD a joy to listen to - as does the clarity and spaciousness of the recording.