Mari Boine

The ancient shamanistic musical traditions of the Sami of northern Scandinavia are given a modern twist by vocalist and drummer Mari Boine (Persen). Although her highly rhythmic songs are rooted in the wordless, yodeling-like vocal style of yoik (or joik), Boine's arrangements incorporate influences of jazz, rock, and other ethnic elements. After debuting in the 1980s, she had a breakthrough with 1989's Gula Gula and secured her arrival on the broader music scene with the Spellemann Prize-winning Goaskinviellja in 1993. Releases like the concert album Eallin (1996), Eight Seas...