Maren, besides being the name of Kepa’s first daughter, marks his first project with a major multinational label. The trikitilari ventures into a global musical fusion, combining his roots with a more universal sonic language. To achieve this, he collaborates with French producer and multi-instrumentalist Hughes de Courson, former member of Malicorne and a specialist in creating innovative atmospheres through creative use of technology, as previously demonstrated in Lambarena. Arrangements for the vocal groups Bulgarka and Tirana, conceived as an integral section of the ensemble, were handled by Parisian pianist and composer Frédéric Manoukian, who would become Kepa’s trusted arranger.

Recording and mixing took place between May and June 2001 at Elkar Studios under the supervision of engineer César Ibarretxe, a regular collaborator of Kepa. Drummer Blas Fernández, who joined shortly before the “Bilbao 00:00h” concerts, recalls that the aim was to create “modern atmospheres and rhythms that could support each track”. The work began on 7 November 2000, Blas’s birthday, with a 50% collaboration with Unai González Mimenza, who transformed rhythmic ideas into electronic bases later refined by Kepa. The album was not conceived as a collective project but as a set of tailored compositions, keeping Angel Unzu, Julio Andrade, Igor Ochoa and Harkaitz Martinez on board, who had performed over a hundred concerts with “Bilbao 00:00h”.

Many track titles refer to Busturialdea-Urdaibai, Kepa’s favourite area outside Bilbao, overlooking both the sea and the Mundaka estuary. The album opens with a reworked version of “Bok-Espok”, from his previous release, introducing a new sonic approach where programming replaces traditional drums while maintaining balanced rhythmic foundations. It is followed by “Ny hirahira”, Kepa’s first commercial single, featuring Olga Cerpa (Mestisay), María del Mar Bonet, Natxo de Felipe, Anton Latxa, Tontxu, and Justin Vali, who contributes verses in Malagasy.

“Busturiko vikingoak” highlights the strength of Bulgarka Junior and Tirana vocal groups, while “Mundaka” begins in an intimate mood before expanding in its second half. “Peliqueiroak Terranovan” pays tribute to the rural carnival of Ourense with Asturian musicians such as Hevia and the Tejedor brothers, and “Izaro” focuses on Anton Latxa. The richness of female voices stands out in “Urdaibai”, and in “Kaixarranka”, Glen Vélez’s percussion is particularly prominent, praising Blas for the rhythmic arrangements.

The album closes with the extensive and delicate “Maren”, with lyrics by Xabier Amuriza and vocals by Anton Latxa in Euskera and María del Mar Bonet in Catalan. Justin Vali returns on valiha, Andy Narell on steel drum, Gilles Chabenat on vielle, and José Antonio Ramos on timple, creating a refined final piece that blends tradition and experimentation with exceptional instrumental precision.

Record label: EMI. Production: Kepa Junkera.