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Hortto Kaalo

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Hortto Kaalo
Hortto Kaalo performing in 1972, with Anneli Sari
Background information
OriginFinland
GenresGypsy music
Years active1969 (1969)–present
LabelsScandia, Rondo

Hortto Kaalo is a Finnish gypsy music band performing in both Finnish and Romani. They specialize in Eastern European and French gypsy music.[1] The band's name in Romani means 'real Roma'.[2]

The group was formed in 1969 by Feija Åkerlund, Marko Putkonen, Taisto Lundberg, and Heikki Nyman, although Nyman left the group shortly afterwards.[3][4] Hortto Kaalo has often performed together with the Finnish Romani singer Anneli Sari [fi].[5][6]

Hortto Kaalo's debut single, the protest song Miksi ovet ei aukene meille? (lit. 'Why doors won't open for us'), came out in 1970, and has been credited for contributing to the illegalization of racial discrimination in Finland.[5][3]

In total, the group released six LPs and four compilations.[7] Their first two albums, Hortto Kaalo and Hai Hortto Kaalot (both Scandia Music [fi], 1974) were certified gold.[8]

The group popularized Gypsy music among mainstream audiences in Finland.[1][4] Hortto Kaalo was at the peak of their popularity throughout the 1970s.[3] In 1977, the group's song Kauan sitten finished in the second place in the selection contest for the Finnish Eurovision Song Contest entry, losing out to Monica Aspelund's Lapponia.[9]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Keikkapaikkojen ovet eivät auenneet Hortto Kaalolle vaivatta" (in Finnish). Yle. Retrieved 2022-04-28.
  2. ^ Hemetek; Marks; Reyes (2014). Music and Minorities from Around the World. Cambridge Scholars Publishing. p. 188. ISBN 9781443870948. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
  3. ^ a b c "Hortto Kaalo - edelleen matkalla" (in Finnish). Yle. 14 April 2013. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
  4. ^ a b "Hortto Kaalo 40-vuotta" (in Finnish). Sveriges Radio. 1 November 2012. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
  5. ^ a b "Hortto Kaalo 40-vuotiskiertueelle". Turun Sanomat (in Finnish). 26 October 2012. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
  6. ^ "Hortto Kaalo ja Anneli Sari". Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). 16 April 2021. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
  7. ^ "Hortto Kaalo Discography". Discogs.com. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
  8. ^ "Hortto Kaalo" (in Finnish). IFPI Finland. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
  9. ^ "Hortto Kaalo: Kauan sitten" (in Finnish). Yle. 29 September 2009. Retrieved 29 April 2022.