Best known as the leader and linchpin of Denmark’s Trio Mio, violinist Heebøll is also an accomplished composer in the Danish tradition, and, traditionally, Danish folk music is definitely music for dance. It originally took its inspiration from 18th century English music, so there’s a flowing lightness to it, the sense of swirling gracefully around the dancefloor and looking your partner in the eye. Producing music that can evoke that feeling and get the feet moving is a lot harder than it looks, though.

Yet Heebøll has done it, and quite magnificently. Subtitled 'new music for dances' – especially the traditional regional dances that remain very popular all across Denmark, even with younger generations – she’s written pieces that are startlingly original, but hew close enough to the past to be very much part of the continuum. That’s an achievement in itself. What truly sets this album apart is that her work is performed by four different ensembles – the thread linking them all is Heebøll, who performed with each one. Together, they offer different shadings on the music, and by extension, the dance.

Two of the groupings are quite traditional in format, one with a pair of violins and piano (heard to great advantage on the set “DJBFA´s parademarch / Markvandring / Lånte Fjer I Lånte Huse / Polka Til En Sølle Hund”), another consisting of accordion, percussion and violin (as on “Duhostblebska Polka”). Both play these new compositions with a dizzying lightness and grace.

The third ensemble offers both piano and accordion and anchors everything with some fluid electric bass, taking things more electric, yet still gliding easily over tracks like “Parasaurolophus Vals.” It’s almost Danish ceilidh music. Almost, yet retaining its flowing national quality.

Once you get to the final ensemble though, you’re looking at a big eight-piece band, heavy on the brass and packing a massive punch. In some ways they’re reminiscent of Bellowhead or Denmark’s own Habadekuk and the sound could be an awkward, ungainly monster, but instead it’s joyful and thrilling, thanks to compositions that spark with life and tight arrangements by trombonist Anders Ringaard. Listen to the “Pericondine/ Kontrahattrick” set and see if it doesn’t get your heart thumping. A different experience to the rest, yet equally satisfying.

It's daring, an experiment (while so being a continuation of some of her previous work), and more than anything, proof of how rooted in Denmark’s musical tradition Heebøll is, both as an outstanding musician and as a writer. Bølgen – Ny Dansemusik Til Bal is her great triumph.

A live dance session with the Bølgenband

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