Zhanna Bodnaruk. Stezhka do Raju. (Path to Paradise) // www.UMKA.com.ua

Zhanna Bodnaruk has long been decorating Ukrainian variety art – but she still knows how to advantageously differ from others. And not because she skillfully exploits the once created image – in such case we would start the conversation with another thought. Vice versa. I think that she will never become similar to others just because until now, already having enormous experience, she still does not stop her search, tries to merge in her creativity quite varicolored elements. Presumably, the classic music education reveals here – and parallel self-education, no longer classic. That is why Ukrainian melodiousness, classic orchestrations, elements of the gospel, somewhat jazz-like vocal moves coexist so organically in her songs. But we should also thank her husband for that, Anatoly Karpenko. Yes, these spices are not superfluous – for Zhanna Bodnaruk is still a variety art singer. But it is due to such various disseminations, easy hints, relaxed connections that her variety art has an interesting sparkle, puts, which places her in the row of the best representatives of this direction. Whatever you might say, but it is nice after a loud, animated song kept in the already usual variety art colors, to suddenly hear easy bossa nova sung in the Ukrainian manner. It is on this kind of pleasant surprises that the new album of Zhanna Bodnaruk "Path to Paradise" is built on – by the way, one of the three new albums released simultaneously.

Russya. Vizerunky. The Best Songs. /digi-pack/. (Patterns)

"Patterns of stories, patterns of emotions, patterns of times and path... As well as everything is intertwined in life – so everything is intertwined in this album. I hope that you will like this little trip back into the past!" Yours, Russya

Domestic price: 306.60UAH, International price: $21.90USD

Natalka Samsonova. Vsi moji pisni. (All of My Songs)

Honestly speaking, it is even strange how she succeeded in combining so quietly, without tension these different things – but she did succeed in that, no doubt. Moreover, all that together generates some new sensations – ambiguous but interesting. In any case, it seems that this disc is really able to make fans of Ukrainian variety art happy – because, evidently, nobody has yet introduced it in this form.

Domestic price: 158.20UAH, International price: $11.30USD

Iryna Shynkaruk. Tse moja i tvoja Ukrajina. (This is my and your Ukraine)

She appears on TV and radio not so often as, for example, Povaliy or Bilozir. And it’s a pity, because at her early twenties Iryna Shynkaruk is inferior to none of her more experienced colleagues. She can represent Ukrainian variety revealing its bright sides better than many singers.

Domestic price: 208.60UAH, International price: $14.90USD

Lyudmyla Yermakova. Pisnja zhyttja moho. (Song of My Life)

Lyudmyla Yermakova, obviously, has nothing to complain about – she has not only achieved success and recognition, but she keeps writing and singing. A lot of her songs have appeared, so to say, in the treasury of Ukrainian variety art. You will hear the songs that are the reflection of all the mentioned talents: here, she is both the composer and the poetess, and in a few cases – the performer as well.

Domestic price: 180.60UAH, International price: $12.90USD