It was with great pleasure that I had the opportunity to review KV Express' fabulous new album for British folk music website Folking.com (bands like this can come and play in the UK any time they wish!):

KV Express deliver this slice of Belgian folk-roots music with such punch, rhythmic variety and apparent ease that you literally have to brace yourself! Luna is an absolutely superb listen, the music crammed with detail. The band’s playing is so tight you'd think it would snap, they’re so clearly attuned to each other, and there’s more than a hint of playfulness in the way they communicate. This is ‘bal folk’ music (beautiful waltzes, polkas, schottisches) played at Belgian folk festivals and clubs, and it’s made for dancing to – and great fun to listen to as well!

Sophie Cavez is a prolific and prodigiously gifted young diatonic accordionist and composer – she wrote all the exceptional tunes on this album and her musicianship is dazzling. Bassist Cédric Waterschoot is phenomenal; his bass floored me at several points during this album. So intuitive, almost psychic, and such a warm, captivating sound too – breathtaking. Jo Zanders delivers a sensational range of rhythms and textures on percussion, his playing imaginative and brimming with personality. This core trio is complemented (and I mean complemented) by an excellent and well-chosen quota of guest musicians, including Didier Laloy (diatonic accordeon), Sylvain Barou (flute), Tom Theuns (guitar/voice), and Karim Baggili (oud). It’s not really possible to single out highlights in such a strong and dynamic album, but a few personal favourites emerged, including the flute-led Polka Barou, or Etoile d’Or, enhanced by the fabulous sound of oud. Les Coccibulles has such an easy, sensual flow, and Loulou is beautifully emotive. There's even a couple of vocal tracks - it's all good.

In case you’re wondering whether I’m thinking of emigrating to Belgium with all this music I’m reviewing, well, I’m not! I stumbled on that country’s amazing folk tradition through a friend and through hearing their music via MySpace, and it’s been something of a revelation to me. If ever an album got me wanting to go and hear these musicians play live, this was surely one of them. Highly recommended.

Debbie Koritsas

www.folking.com