Ugis Praulins

The release from the debut album Paganu Gadagramata (translated: Pagan Yearbook) by multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Ugis Praulins marked the start of a fresh era for Latvian folk music. A seasonal routine of mainly traditional music and instrumentals, the record mixed traditional Latvian instrumentation, like the zither-like kokle and bagpipes, and equipment reflecting world affects. Roots World defined the record as “general will of synthesized washes, Enya-esque echoing plucked arpeggios and globe beatification through the addition of bongos, djembas, balafon, and kalimba.” While Praulins managed center stage along with his kokle, keyboards, kalimba, and Chinese language bamboo flute playing and vocals, the recording was strengthened with the addition of Ilga Reizniece (vocals, violin), Maris Muktupavels (vocals, bagpipe, and accordion), Gints Sola (acoustic and electrical guitars), Andris Alvikis (fretless, acoustic, and dual bass), and Nils Ile (djembe, cowbells, sleigh bells, bongos, balafon, and percussion).