CD Review: Boban i Marko Markovic Orkestar's 'Golden Horns'

Boban i Marko Markovic Orkestar
Golden Horns
Piranha

Golden Horns is an album that features the best music from Serbia's Boban i Marko Markovic, as well as his son, Marko, and other hits composed by Husnu Senlendirici, Ljiljana Kolakovic, Lajko Felix, T. Lato, T. Kukurba, and others. The Balkan brass hits are compiled by DJ Robert Soko, who also contributes to the bonus tracks, ''Cinnamon Girl" and "Go Marko Go." The rousing brass and dancefloor melodies are Romani-influenced and Gypsy-celebrated with plenty of majestic horns, whirling rhythms, and catchy tidbits that are a must-have for any celebratory situation. There is even a little rap on "Sljivovica." The music is great for parties, enjoying music from Boban's highlighted career, and learning a bit about Romani music. The mostly instrumental tunes do contain some vocals, though the instrumentation is the real winner here. Fifteen tracks round out the album. Vocals in English, French, and Serbian. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Joel Rubin and Uri Caine's 'Azoy Tsu Tsveyt'

Joel Rubin and Uri Caine

Azoy Tsu Tsveyt

Tzadik

The classic klezmer music is seemingly reinvented by musical contemporaries, Joel Rubin and Uri Caine. Joel's lively, though pensive, clarinet playing is poignant and laid-back. Uri's rhodes and organ-playing makes the music sound folksy, rootsy, and most of all, dreamy. There are no additional instruments used on the recording. Even vocals are absent. The alternative and almost avant-garde rhodes work matches the sounds of Russian folk and smooth jazz. The clarinet propels the music forward without totally disregarding it's historical significance in Jewish and classical music along the way. Joel and Uri manage to succeed in producing a very good recording of klezmer music that is never dull or uninspiring. Fans of klezmer, Yiddish, Jewish, big band, clarinet, instrumental, avant-garde, and jazz music will find much to love about Azoy Tsu Tsveyt. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Debo Band's 'Flamingoh (Pink Bird Dawn)'

Debo Band

Flamingoh (Pink Bird Dawn)

Self-Released

Debo Band is an Ethiopian tribute band for the sounds of Ethiopia's 1970's golden era of musical creativity. With a new album of live material, the number of songs on this album only ring in at four. Despite this, Debo Band proves superiority with minimalism. The four songs are "Musicawi Silt" by Girma Beyene, "Belomi Benna" by Abrar Abde/Mahmoud Ahmed, "Mignoten Man Yawkal" by Seyfu H. Mariam/Tezera H. Michael, and "Lantchi Biye" by Menelik Wossenachew. The first track, "Musicawi Silt", is a groovy, guitar and horn-driven masterpiece that is entirely instrumental. "Belomi Benna" is led by vocalist Bruck Tesfaye with another fine horn section and driving melodies and rhythms. "Mignoten Man Yawkal" is led by vocalist Selamnesh Zemene and she matches the beats with a small degree of earthiness and attitude in all the right proportions. The final song, "Lantchi Biye", is the other song led by vocalist Bruck Tesfaye. This song almost borders on a Gypsy/Klezmer rhythm with a characteristic Ethiopian beat and tropical guitar stylings. Named after the peculiar and showy birds of the region, Flamingoh... is poised to make everyone dance around...including those creatures that are perched on one leg. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Chopteeth - Live

Chopteeth

Live

Grigri Discs

Chopteeth is back with a live set of resurrected Afrofunk and Afrobeat tunes from Africa's greats including Fela Kuti, Tabu Ley Rochereau, Le Shimandou de Beyla, and Peter King. Of course, the band focuses on other tunes by Ignacio Rios, Rudy Gomis, Ndeye Mbaye, Barthelemy Attiso, Arthur Kennedy, Michael Shereikis, and Duke Ellington. The D.C.-based band is a purveyor in the golden age of African funk music. The classic 1970's tunes are mainly instrumental with plenty of brass, drums, keyboards, electric guitar, and bass. The ten songs were recorded at a few different locations around D.C. The audience participation is minimal with only a smattering of applauses or shouts. The groovy beats are a perfect accompaniment for a thriller or suspense film soundtrack. Chopteeth is a delectable band that always brings the brass with the sass. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Slovenia's Magnifico

Magnifico

Magnification

Piranha

The somewhat comedic musical and lyrical sensibilities of Slovenia's Magnifico (a.k.a. Robert Peut) brings a lighter side to the Balkan brass world. Keep in mind the music is still lyrically edgy with the characteristic Balkan brass elements, but the rhythms seem complex enough to create a pan-fusion masterpiece with Latino and European influences. Magnifico tackles tough societal situations and crafts them into gritty, punchy beats with a Country-Western, Roma-funk twist. The sensual overtones exist on a lyrical and melodic scale, where Magnifico puts the 'horny' in Balkan horns. A favorite of European youth, Magnification may require a closer inspection from traditionalists. Thankfully, the power of Magnification is found in it's unique delivery and it's word will reach everyone with even a passing interest in groovy, Balkan-pop from a stylish, innovator of unforgettable music. Don't 'balk' at this Balkan release! ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Girish's 'Diamonds In The Sun'

Girish
Diamonds In The Sun
Independent Release

Girish is an American vocalist, guitarist, keyboardist, and harmonium player with a relaxed, yet intelligent approach to music creation. Specifically, Girish studied yoga, meditation and ancient Sanskrit texts and chants, some of which are incorporated throughout the album. Importantly, this is not a lack-luster attempt at spiritual enlightenment through music. Instead, Girish produces lively, Sanskrit and English-language tracks with pleasant rhythms and folksy vocals all performed under the larger umbrella of the New Age/World Music label. Girish is joined by a plethora of musicians with instruments ranging from the esraj, mandolin, sarangi, piano, violin, and various brass and strings. Altogether, Diamonds In The Sun is a 'brilliant' album in a genre all its own - appropriately defined as 'yoga-pop'. The title track would probably be a perfect single for the genre in a yoga-pop Top 10 list. Listen to Girish bring light into your world. Shine on, shine on! ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Chile's Chico Trujillo

Chico Trujillo

Chico De Oro

Barbes Records

Chico Trujillo is Chile's cumbia innovators, but their musical expertise and repertoire extends beyond Chile's borders and engulfs the South American continent. The Spanish lyrics and upbeat party atmosphere of the instruments - both brass and percussion - highlight Chico De Oro's strengths. The music is definitely influenced by Latin music, but it also envelopes bits of Southeast Asian funk, psychedelic, afro-beat, gypsy, and tejano music. Keep in mind Chico De Oro is not a fusion album, but an album of innovative cumbia music. In short, the music is very energetic with a refined, uptempo rhythm. Chico Trujillo is the party music for your birthday celebration, or world music party! If you are into other Latin American Barbes recordings and cumbia music in general, then you will love Chico Trujillo's Chico De Oro. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Boban's 'Devla' Is Divine

Boban and Marko Markovic

Devla: Blown Away To Dancefloor Heaven

Piranha

Anyone that is looking for something a little different this year, then check out father-son duo, Boban and Marko Markovic. The Serbian brass beats create a style so unique, it could appropriately be called 'Balkan-Beat'. Imagine the 'Afro-Beat' funk rhythms in a Serbian context and you have the Markovic Orchestra. The speedy beats and funky brass inspire the feet to move into a state of ecstasy. The musical rhythms are accompanied by joyous shouts and lyrics in Serbian and English. Some of the singers include Sofi Marinova, Rade Krstic, and Ljubisa Stojanovic. The Balkan region has produced numerous albums in recent years, and Boban and Marko Markovic continue to prove their musical abilities with each release. Listeners with a knack for Balkan brass, Klezmer, gypsy pop, and Rom music will find Devla divine. In short, Devla is sure to energize anyone who listens to it. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: The (electro)-Cafe Svetlana

Ahilea
Cafe Svetlana
Essay Recordings

The electro-Balkan tunes of producer and DJ Ahilea Durcovski has brought out the best tracks for lounging, dancing, and everything else in between. A mix of male and female vocals accompany the downbeat, Balkan tracks. A hint of Klezmer brass and Transylvanian folk permeates the album. The groovy beat of 'O Mangas' is reminiscent of something recorded by the folks at the Sublime Frequencies label. This is modern folk music with an electronic backbone. In fact, the name Cafe Svetlana is taken from a legendary musical club of the same name in Vienna. Thanks to Ahilea, the secretive music of Cafe Svetlana is now a global presence. The instrumental beats are quite infectious and never dull or flat. This is adventurous music for the adventurous listener. Clearly, one of the best recordings of 2009! ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Sweden Meets Latin America on 'Nubes del Alma'

Cerro Esperanza Band
Nubes del Alma
Footprint Records

If any album can bridge the musical cultures of Sweden and Latin America, then Nubes del Alma is in serious contention. Jorge Alcaide lends his Spanish and Swedish vocals. The Cerro Esperanza Band combines Spanish and Swedish lyrics with Cuban/South American rhythms and Balkan/Klezmer brass to make an unlikely concoction shine brighter than light glinting off a brass horn. At times, the melodies would be ideal for slow dancing, lounging at a smoke-filled bar in Rio de Janeiro, or for listening in the comfort of your home - wherever that may be. At any rate, they are versatile. Their music incorporates the accordion, guitar, bouzouki, clarinet, trombone, cimbalom, thumb piano, bass, and assorted percussion. Lyrics are provided in the liner notes in Spanish, English, and Swedish. As a bonus, the insert unfolds into a striking poster of instrument silhouettes. ~ Matthew Forss