An electronica and rock music group from Jelgava that had a couple of hits a few years ago has returned with a new lead singer, a new name and a new album, the Rīga-based Platforma Records has announced.

Formed in late 2003, the group FINX sees the release of its first album, Na-na-hā, on June 9.

Three of the group’s members originally came together in the late 1990s as the band B-link. Among their hits were the songs “Upside Down“ and “What If I (Turn Around).”

The members of FINX include the original B-link members—Reinis (Reinis Kazāks), DJ (Guntis Dūmiņš) and Zemīc—with the addition of lead singer Gunita.

Three of the group’s songs, which also will be on the new album, have become radio hits: “Tikko kā sācies,” “Zvaigznes” and “2reiz.” All of the songs on the album were written by Kazāks and Dūmiņš, except for “Zolotije oblaka.” Other songs on the 14-track album include “Augstāk par debesīm”, “Mans vārds,” “Vēl viena sirds,” “3 pasaules,” “Par vienu dienu,” “Vēl par vienu dienu,” “Vairāk nejautā,” “Zvaigznes,” “Laiks nepārsteidz,” “Viss pēc tam…” and an acoustic version of “Tikko kā sācies.”

Further information about the group is available on the band’s Web site, www.finx.tv.

An avant garde Latvian folk music group, Bišu gani, has released its first compact disc of songs that examine the cycle of life.

Formed in 2004, Bišu gani is led by Solvita Lodiņa-Šķēle. On the album, titled Dzīvie dūmi, Lodiņa-Šķēle is credited with composing the music as well as crafting many of the instruments, according to a press release announcing the CD release in Rīga.

Latvian dainas and traditional melodies form the basis of the songs, but they are accompanied by spoken word and nontraditional instrumental performances.

The 13-track recording includes “Svētu rītu,” “Sajāja Brammaņi,” “Atnākšana,” “Kam der kalni,” “Es Dieviņu pieminēju,” “Tumsa tumsa,” “Pirts dziesma,” “n/a,” “Bišu dūmi,” “Gaisma nāca līgodama,” “Tirgus dziesma,” “Bitīt, Dieva kalponīte” and “Dieva cirvis.”

Latvia, followed by Lithuania and Estonia, tops a list of perceived enemies in a recent survey of Russian public opinion, according to the Yuri Levada Analytical Center.

When asked which countries they considered as unfriendly to Russia, 49 percent of survey respondents mentioned Latvia. The poll of 1,600 adults was conducted May 13-17, according to Canada-based Angus Reid Consultants, which reported the Levada survey on its Web site.

Lithuania was mentioned by 42 percent of respondents and Estonia by 32 percent. Georgia and the United States were fourth and fifth on the “enemies list.” No margin of error was provided by Levada.

The survey was conducted just days after U.S. President George W. Bush sandwiched a visit to Moscow between stops in Latvia and Georgia. During the visit to Russia, Bush joined world leaders in marking Russia’s Victory Day and the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe. But in Latvia and Georgia, Bush had strong words for Russia and the legacy of the Soviet Union.

Latvia and Russia in early May also had been at loggerheads over a proposed border treaty.

When asked which countries they considered friends and allies of Russia, respondents in the Levada survey most often mentioned Belarus (45 percent), Germany (23 percent) and Kazakhstan (20 percent).