CD Review: Bubamara Brass Band's 'Balkanteka'

Bubamara Brass Band
Balkanteka
Sketis Music

A Balkan music group from Russia? Absolutely. In fact, Bubamara Brass Band wastes no time throwing out the punchy brass melodies and rhythms with an earnest fervor. The upbeat, almost Middle Eastern-tinged percussion tracks combine a bit of gypsy music with bellydance. At any rate, the music will get your body moving. Bubamara even employs the musical talent of famed-Balkan maestro, Marko Markovic. The dozen tracks represent a structured, yet zany whirlwind of brassy tunes with a heady fever of a pace. Balkanteka is a moving album with danceable consequences that are anything but boring. The vocals are very good, too. Anyone with an interest in contemporary Balkan music--no matter where it's from--will love Bubamara Brass Band. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Bubamara Brass Band's 'Zemlja Bubarumija'

Bubamara Brass Band
Zemlja Bubarumija
Sketis Music

The Bubamara Brass Band hails from Russia, which is a far-cry from Balkan music land. However, the band presents a mix of Balkan-styled tunes from Yugoslavia, Bosnia, and other areas for our listening pleasure. Some of the tracks are vocal; while others are not. At only forty-minutes in length, Zemlja Bubarumija is not the longest album, but it makes up for it with complex tracks and energetic instrumentation from a youthful, playful, and urban style. The upbeat tracks are similar in style and tone to Klezmer music. Anyone with an interest in brass band, gypsy, Klezmer, Balkan, and instrumental tunes will love the Bubamara Brass Band. ~ Matthew Forss