One of five nominees for “Best World music cd 2005” by Swedish Association of Independent Music producers
By Belgian magazine ”New Folk Sounds”editor Eelco Schilder acclaimed one of the six best world music cds of 2004.
“Tummel is a stout sextet of Swedish musicians who excel in playing modern Klezmer/Balkan/Oriental music… and more. […] The group possesses a keen musical sensibility, […] All but three of the 13 Transit songs were penned by group members, which demonstrate the band’s first class songwriting as well and orchestration talents. From the explosive opening track, "Single Hair Replacement" by guitarist Tobias Allvin to the brooding, "Est Schmrez in Hanoi" by woodwind player Pär Moberg, to the group’s arrangement of "Tsiganovs Hands", with its Middle Eastern rhythms, the entire album serves as testament to this talented band’s multiform musicality. Especially considering this is only Tummel’s second album, the band has already amassed a maturity – not to mention being a hothouse of creativity – that is noteworthy. Highly recommended -- no, make that mandatory -- for any fan of the modern Klezmer or Balkan genres.
Robert Kaye, Global Rhytm Magazine, USA, dec-04)
"The klezmer groove of seven piece band Tummel bursts loose after the intro, with the heavily distorted guitar as companion. This unexpected mixture of styles sets the tone for this entire ompa-ompa song, which you just cant stop headnodding to. Inspiration is not scarce".
Groove nr 8 2006.
“Tummel creates a very lively mix of klezmer with a hint of rock and punk, great for dancing and listening. “
Leslie Lutsky, Radio Centre-Ville USA 2008
”[…] a hybrid that is completely honest and natural, but almost supernaturally captivating. […] Transit is warmth in the cold, light in darkness och celebration in everyday life. And that is just on cd. I shiver with pleasure imagining them live.
Magnus Sjöberg, Groove, Sweden 2005
"You could say Tummel is a rocking enigma. [...] Traditional it's definitely not, but still thoroughly enjoyable, and with an ample grounding in their adopted homeland(s). They're quirky and fun, young and energetic, and with more than a small dose of sly humor in their sound"
CN, Singout Magazine, winter 2005, USA)
”Klezmer & Extra Everything.
Broader, heavier and beefier. If Tummel’s first album was a tasty, slim starter, then Transit is the heavily spiced three-course menu which finally makes you bounce your belly down in a free pram and stumblingly roll home in the night. […] The band dances like a butterfly and stings like a pneumatic drill, and everybody plays like half raving lunatics, from the drummer Daniel Pergament Persson and the tuba player Øivind Slattoo to the excited soloists. For example, Transit gives fine opportunities to appreciate the accordeon player Edin Bahtijaragic, a sharp figure who might not be just as visual as the expressive wind players. And the cool guitar-rubbing of madcap Tobias Allvin- raw, intense and imaginative – is, by the way, one of Tummel’s most special credits.
Traditional songs are snapped with the same assuredness as new ones are produced. […] The sound of the cd is big and shimmering. Weak points are missing.”
(Alexander Agrell, Sydsvenskan, 27/8-04) (Grade: 4 of 5) Also mentioned by him as one of the best cds of 2004.
Artist of the Week at digfi.com, oct 2006
’Estschmerz in Hanoi’ is simply a wonderful piece of music, who invites you to a party with it´s virtuous musicians and professional arrangement. The beautiful Japanese-influenced flute intro is effectively interrupted by a distorted guitar riff, then the brass section plunges in head on and takes the lead. The song gets going, and the carnival atmosphere is an undeniable fact. The joy is total. The theme of the song takes turns with solos, and it neither becomes boring nor unfocused. Worth taking after, rather; you have to look long for such an injection of joy. This is how a true dance band should sound like.. ’Single hair replacement’ is a bit more wild and out of control, almost like an autumn tempest which blows from all directions simultaneously. The accordeon has a predominant role, which is cool.
Digfi.com
”[…] with their second album Transit [Tummel] they take a big step ahead. partly in the sound and the mix of different genres, and partly in the fact that 10 out of 13 of the album tracks are composed by the members of the group. Only three tracks are Tummel versions of traditional songs, and this gives the band more carisma and character. An exciting Swedish band which has grown considerably since their impressive debut three years ago.” (www.musikindustrin.nu, the branch magazine of the Swedish music industry, aug 2004)
“[…]The power of Tummel lies in their ability to create solidly funky grooves, which are carried by the baritone saxophone and a well played drumkit. The tuba playing of Øivind Slaatto is also creative, and goes far beyond what you normally expect to hear from a tuba in this genre. […] Tummel is, to my well-worn ears, one of the more exciting names on the Nordic Klezmer scene right now. “
Mikkel Hornnes, Danish World Music Association (www.worldmusic.dk).
”With full blast and captivating wind, the Malmö based World music group Tummel starts up their second album Transit.
Transit is a passage through a swarming world of rhytms and moods. From hysterical joy in the opening track Single Hair Replacement (Tobias Allvin) to a more silent melancholy in the final track No poetry (Pär Moberg).
[…]Transit actually consists of music best listened to at dawn, knowing that the band will continue to play until the sun sets. It is impulsive live music which has been captured and temporarily pruned to be packable on cd.
The result is music to play loud on your home stereo. The songs catch you violently also in recorded version. And they do it with melodies which urges - nay, demands your full attention.”
Johanna Rundgren, Blekinge läns tidning, Sweden 1/11-04
" ROCK-KLEZMER
[...] When they now release Transit, they have turned up both the volume and the tempo several steps. Drums and electric guitar play a central role next to the wind players in a powerful sound [...]. Especially the compositions of Pär Moberg must make the dance floor rock. Irresistably good.
[The] record cover cannot be left out: one of the most delicious I’ve seen. So get Tummel’s Transit if you like to potter with stickers and dance to heavy, danceable klezmer!”
(Ulf Torstensson, Lira magazine, Sweden, nov -04)
”And this is the mission of Tummel: to play dance music so stirring, refreshing and full of speed, that even the stiffest of legs can’t keep a man sitting. On […] ’Transit’, the band plays even more energetic, not to say violent, than on the first one.”
Bengt Eriksson, Swedish Library Magazine –04. By Bengt also declared among the 10 best records in the world music genre 2004 at www.rootsy.nu
”It’s all high-energy fun, one of those recordings you just spontaneously turn up loud and dace along to.”
Jle, Dirty Linen, maj 2005.
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