Faraualla is Cristina Palmiotto, Teresa Vallarella, and Maristella and Gabriella Schiavone—four women from the Apulia region of southern Italy. Lovely voices all, but what they do together with a piece of music is truly amazing. They’re also songcatchers, drawing material from Russia, Bulgaria, and Hungary, as well as the Adriatic and Mediterranean regions. The quartet even does a number inspired by a Native American chant, and “Questa Fanciul-L’Amor” is a 14th century ballad. A cappella moments? Absolutely, but Faraualla also works with accompaniment that ranges from harness bells to cymbals to darabukka and rattle drum. For a vocal jam that would challenge the best hip-hop artists, check out the original “Maha Te Song.” If the topic is breathtaking four-part harmony, then the entire album is a practicum on that subject. Touted as the Zap Mama of Italy, Faraualla has the stuff to make that claim stick. Distributed by Velas Records.—PVV