Uģis Prauliņš

The release of the debut album Paganu Gadagramata (translated: Pagan Yearbook) by multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Ugis Praulins marked the beginning of a new era for Latvian folk music. A seasonal cycle of mostly traditional songs and instrumentals, the album combined traditional Latvian instrumentation, such as the zither-like kokle and bagpipes, and instruments reflecting world influences. Roots World described the album as "general does of synthesized washes, Enya-esque echoing plucked arpeggios and world beatification through the addition of bongos, djembas, balafon, and kalimba." While Praulins maintained center stage with his kokle, keyboards, kalimba, and Chinese bamboo flute playing and vocals, the album was strengthened by the addition of Ilga Reizniece (vocals, violin), Maris Muktupavels (vocals, bagpipe, and accordion), Gints Sola (acoustic and electric guitars), Andris Alvikis (fretless, acoustic, and double bass), and Nils Ile (djembe, cowbells, sleigh bells, bongos, balafon, and percussion). ~ Craig Harris