Oi Va Voi – Travelling The Face of The Globe

Releasedate: 11-05-2009; Label: V2 Records / Oi Va Voi Recordings
By: Sabine van Gameren

Oi Va Voi is a London bases band making world music. The band is up for their third release called “Traveling The Face of The Globe”.

Travelling is the main theme of this album. Besides that the band took influences from different countries and cultures they also use different languages. Vocal wise I have been blown away. Three of the band members contribute vocals but the first one that got me was Bridgette Amofah. She uses her voice on such a controlled way where many other vocalists can learn of. Take a song like “I Knew What You Are” or the title track for a repeated listen and you will be blown away by the sound of this poppy voice with classic influences. Instruments like the trumpet and clarinet bring atmosphere in the music. Don’t forget to pay attention to the string section which is added by violist Anna Phoebe.
The traveling goes on and on and the song “Magic carpet” brings you to the middle east. Remember those nights in such a lovely village restaurant where you hear this music as well.
The album ends with a song called “Photograph” featuring guest vocalist Dick Rivers, which has a typical sound from an Ayreon musician. He sings in French and so the journey has ended there.

With Oi Va Voi you don’t need to bring your camera equipment on holiday, just this album is enough to bring up memories of places where ever you go. For a music fan this band is very interesting. For some shallow music listener I can not tell whether the band can deliver their message clearly or not. It is music you really have to listen to and you don’t just put it on as a background sound. I say, it is a jewel. Very pleasant and a lot to discover. It even inspires me to go and visit places I have not been to yet .

Line Up:
Nik Ammar (Guitar, Vocals)
Bridgette Amofah (Vocals)
Josh Breslaw (Drums)
Stephen Levi (Clarinet, Vocals)
David Orchant (Trumpet)
Anna Phoebe (Violin)
Lucy Shaw (Bass)

Links:
Oi Va Voi MySpace
Oi Va Voi Official