Ori Shalva: Dilao

Ori Shalva: Dilao 

Toronto-based Georgian polyphonic ensemble Ori Shalva is proud to announce the release of Dilao, their first studio-recorded EP. The six-track album was recorded in a few short hours at The Farm, a Toronto recording studio run by Jean Marting, on October 30, 2025, and completed on November 4.

Following their earlier EP — recorded for the 2019 TV series Sounds of Canada and released in early 2025 — Dilao represents a new chapter for the ensemble: current, self-produced, and evolving.

The title Dilao stems from the Georgian word for “morning,” symbolizing the dawn of Ori Shalva’s journey as recording artists. Each track unveils a unique sound world within the vast universe of Georgian polyphony: from lyrical songs of love and homeland to three contrasting dance songs, from the intricate independence of voices in a celebratory Gurian piece to the lush melismatic ornamentation of eastern Kakheti. The distinctive chonguri—a plucked lute found only in western Georgia—appears on several tracks, played with mastery by ensemble leader Shalva Makharashvili.

Representing the ancient vocal heritage of Sakartvelo (Georgia) in its purest form, Ori Shalva brings this millennia-old polyphonic tradition to life from their home base in Toronto. Praised for their “amazing harmonies” (CBC Frequencies), the family ensemble continues to share Georgia’s UNESCO-recognized musical treasure with audiences in Canada and beyond.

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