Up in the Province of Lapland, Sweden and just north of the Arctic Circle is the locality of Jokkmokk, a settlement with about 3,000 people. While Jokkmokk is an important place for Sámi people and several institutions related to them, it is also the home of singer and songwriter Mirja Palo Päiviö who also plays some kantele, drums and percussion on her new album about birthing called Riegádahttin. With other musicians adding percussion, flute, marimba, bass, keys, guitar, kantele, violin, synthesizer, samples, electronics and backing vocals, the result is highly arranged, relaxing and poetic set of evocative music with a unique effervescence that shines with joy.

Most of the songs are sung with Swedish lyrics, except for the 6-minute “Lullaby” that has lyrics in North Sámi and references to the bird of meadow, white wagtail, plover of plains and downy dove as the little one is encouraged to “fly to the mountain of sleep.”  Slightly more tempo is provided to Mirja Palo’s self-penned “You Are Alive,” and “I Sat Down by Your Bed” is based on traditional music and lyrics from Hilda Ajanki. “Oh Creator” is a beautiful rendition of a plea for aid, warmth and relief sung by four voices with minimal accompaniment of kantele and percussion.    

Influenced by its inland and northerly position, Jokkmokk's varied subarctic climate is very cold by Swedish standards. Despite it being from one of the coldest municipal seats in Sweden Lapland in terms of winter temperatures, this album’s music has a very heartwarming and welcoming quality. (Joe Ross, Roots Music Report)