nordic roots

If you've got $3 burning a hole in your pocket, check out the Nordic Roots
sampler series put out by Northside Records in Minneapolis. Northside
features Scandinavian artists including the whole spectrum from traditional
nordic folk songs to some very hip techno and rock, with a fascinating
mixture of new and ancient instruments. VERY cool stuff. There are 3
volumes of the samplers; the newest just came out in October. All three
are excellent. As the label boasts, they are "cheaper than food!" at
$3/each. These made some great stocking stuffers this year. (sorry to
suggest this belatedly). I've seen them in several stores, at Amazon, and
also available directly from Northside. Check out their webpage-- it also
has some RealAudio and mp3's. And of course they have the whole catalog of
regularly priced releases from all the artists.

http://www.noside.com/

(disclaimer: I have no connection to Northside Records-- just a fan who happens to reside in the same town...)