Svitlana Klochkova-Kovalenko. Nad Dniprovoyu sahoyu. /digi-pack/. (Over the Dnipro Bay)

From the very first minute, this recording fills with something like fresh evening air in summer after a quick rain – right, with the sense of fragrant, warm air. The music tends sometimes unexpectedly to such direction as ambient – though not in its pure form, there are also versions closer to variety art, but let it be. In general, this immediately sets the tone for the entire sounding – and prompts to more deliberate mindfulness when listening. The more so that the certain academic features of Svitlana Klochkova-Kovalenko's vocal in this case complement the music lines with softness rather than rigor. Whether due to the arrangements, or simply due to the right inner attitude – but sometimes that voice even softly lights up. Let us now remind you that the entire album is recorded based on poems by Taras Shevchenko. It is unlikely that for many his poetry conjures purely lyrical images – but the music leaves you no chance. Even dramatic, heavy lines are revealed in a different light here, because the music permeates them with – peace. Nevertheless, there is also pure lyric poetry, and a gentle smile – after all, Shevchenko was not monochrome...