This is the sound of Iceland: rough and intimate, mysterious and hauntingly exciting. These are “songs about animals and criminals as well as being about love and tragic fate”, says Rosa Kristin Baldursdottir, the voice of Salzburg based jazz ensemble úngút.

"úngút" is an Icelandic expression which means "to brood, to hatch (out); hence a new life". Ensemble úngút opens musical paths with the traditions of authentic Icelandic folk music.

The archaic and powerful sound of the music is directly inspired by the eruptive Icelandic landscape. The songs are driven by the tension between a life with nature and the desire for shelter, warmth, and a feeling of security.

Pianist and composer Peter Arnesen was a successful London studio musician, recording and touring with well known Rock, Jazz and Pop bands as well as being a founding member of The Rubettes. In ensemble úngút he presents a sensitive and thrilling approach to Icelandic music, which are transformed into modern, exciting jazz pieces.

Rosa Baldursdóttor is a well known Icelandic singer who completed studies in classical singing and pedagogy in Iceland, London and Salzburg. She is also a successful solo artist for Icelandic folk music, musicals and classical repertoire. 1990 she founded the quartet Tjarnarkvartettinn.  This vocal group established a reputation for unique interpretations of traditional icelandic folk music performing in Iceland and the rest of Europe, becoming a firm fixture on the icelandic music scene as well as participating in many major european festivals.

As the core of jazz ensemble úngút, Rosa Baldursdottir and Peter Arnesen continue to enchant international audiences with their Songs of Iceland.

Track listing:
1. Barnagælur - Children‘s Rhymes
2. Ég leitaði blárra blóma - I Searched For Blue Flowers
3. Vísur Vatnsenda-Rósu - My Eyes And Your Eyes
4. Krummi - The Raven
5. Kvölda tekur - Evening Arrives
6. Hjá lygnri móðu - Calm River
7. Litla kvæðið um litlu hjónin - Little Poem About a Little Couple
8. Jarpur - Jarpur
9. Hvert Örstutt Spor - Each Tiny Step
10. Litli Tónlistarmaðurinn - The Little Musician
11. það sem ekki má - What Is Not Allowed
12. Kindur jarma i kofunum - The Sheep-Song
13. Snati og Óli - Snati and Oli
14. Sofðu unga ástin mín - Sleep Now Softly, Little Love
15. Kall sat undir kletti - An Old Man Sat Under a Rock
16. Sof þú blíðust barnkind mín - Sleep, My Gentle Little One

Jazz Ensemble Úngút:
- Rosa Kristin Baldursdottir, vocals
- Einar Sigurðsson, double bass
- Peter Arnesen, piano