One of Beñat Achiary's best recorded solo performances, period. The Seven Circles captures the mad Basque vocalist in all his glory. Sound quality is perfect on this live recording: every inflection, every small percussion instrument Achiary uses makes it clearly into the microphone, finally giving an exact reproduction of his "larger-than-life" performances. This concert at the Music Unlimited XVI festival took place two months after the death of bassist Peter Kowald. It could be seen as a 45-minute exorcism of his death, a personal and collective ritual in order to come to terms with his loss. The opening poem by Gherasim Luca sets the tone and will be joined by other texts and poems by Federico Garcia Lorca, Josean Artze and Jon Mirande, read or sung throughout the performance. Pansori for Peter is an atavistic mourning song, a soul-shattering sequence of cries, sobs, complaints and revolts. Achiary goes through the whole repertoire of human emotions and, when that is not enough, borrows from the animal kingdom in order to express the inexpressible. Chant d'Exil and Pigalle are more soothing and showcase the purity of the singer's voice. Nuit Sans Sommeil ("Sleepless Night") comes back to deeply troubling emotions, before Lullaby for Peter offers resolution and Fandango sends us off on a happier note. Unlike Phil Minton or Jaap Blonk, Beñat Achiary's vocal art relies more on lyricism and feeling than innovative techniques. On this recording, he tears down the distinctions between what is avant-garde and what is popular. His lyricism and powerful lungs jump beyond cultures and styles, providing to the human spirit a universal voice. ~ François Couture, Rovi

1		L' Anti-Toi
2		Pansori for Peter
3		Chant d'Exil
4		La Voie Lactee
5		Pigalle
6		Harvest Song
7		Nuits Sans Sommeil
8		Heros-Limite
9		Lullaby for Peter
10		Fandango

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