CD Review: Various Artists' 'Balkan Clarinet Summit'

Various Artists
Balkan Clarinet Summit
Piranha

The neo-classical leanings of Balkan Clarinet Summit present musicians from all over Western Europe for a truly magical recording that is also a film. Goethe-Institut Athina director, Wolfgang Poehlmann, had the original idea, while Claudio Puntin and Steffen Schorn took charge of the musical direction. Artists come from Moldavia, Greece, Serbia, Turkey, and Bulgaria. Each artist contributes to the project in a collective manner, which leaves room for improvisation and innovation, but not straying too far from historic roots. The music is at times very peaceful, while other times it is very energetic and full of life. This is music created in Europe for people of all backgrounds and tastes, as it is completely instrumental and jam-packed with contemplative, relaxing, and even dance-friendly compositions and moments. Whether folk, neo-classical, or roots music is your passion, Balkan Clarinet Summit will surely inspire listeners everywhere to listen up. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Boris Kovac & La Campanella's 'Eastern Moon Rising'

Boris Kovac & La Campanella
Eastern Moon Rising
Riverboat Records/World Music Network

Balkan jazz artists, Boris Kovac & La Campella, know how to entertain the masses with their latest release, Eastern Moon Rising. Steeped in Balkan rhythms and gypsy melodies with jazz music at its core, Boris Kovac brings to life his Serbian roots on a marvelous quasi-classical and folk product. The album incorporates indigenous rhythms and melodies with equally-relevant instrumentation to create a truly remarkable world music recording. The folks at Riverboat/WMN know a thing or two about world music and the result is nothing short of spectacular. Eastern Moon Rising is a Balkan jazz and European music winner with vibrant strings, horns, percussion, and miscellaneous instrumentation. However, the loud, energetic, Balkan music most people know and love are not really found here. Think of the lighter sounds of the late-Cesaria Evora's band. Nearly an hour of music marks the album's eleven tracks. Fans of Balkan music, jazz, gypsy music, and world fusion will love the mostly instrumental tunes. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Boban & Marko Markovic Orchestra's 'Gipsy Manifesto'

Boban & Marko Markovic Orchestra
Gipsy Manifesto
Piranha

Boban & Marko Markovic Orchestra's music is steeped in the upbeat brass of Serbia's most popular music form. The fast vocals and musical deliveries are paramount in Balkan brass today, which is especially prominent on "Turbo Diesel" and "Caje Sukarije." There are sixteen songs, but the last one is a radio edit remix of "Sljivovica." Vocals are in English, Romani, and Serbian. Anyone familiar with the punchy, brass-laden tunes of this region will be pleasantly surprised by the intelligent lyrics and dance-heavy elements. Balkan brass is not known for being very smooth or fluid and Gipsy Manifesto is yet another good example of this. However, Balkan fans need not 'balk' at this recording. If you are seeking wild rhythms, brassy sounds, and punchy dance music from Serbia (or surrounding countries), then this one is for you. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Raya Brass Band's 'This Train Is Now'

Raya Brass Band
This Train Is Now
Self-Release

The Brooklyn-based band, Raya Brass Band, releases a new album, This Train Is Now, which frolics with Balkan brass delight and thick rhythms that do not let go. The trumpet work of Ben Syversen allows the tracks to brighten with jazzy eminence. The tupan accompanies most of the tracks and provides a deeper, more rich tone to the percussion repertoire. The throbbing tuba, pulsating accordion and farfisa, along with the tenor horn, keyboard, and sax, provides a full-on assault of sound with improvisational know-how and blissful sounds. Fans of Balkan jazz, klezmer, Romany music, and Mediterranean sounds will be enlightened by this energetic and prominent recording of infectious music. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Various Artists' 'Brasslands: A Motion Picture Soundtrack'

Various Artists
Brasslands: A Motion Picture Soundtrack
Evergreene Music

Balkan Gypsy, klezmer, and jazz music is represented here with a dozen tracks by some of the world's best-loved and least-known brass bands on Brasslands..., which is a film of the same name. You will hear the instrumental prowess of Slavic Soul Party!, Demiran Cerimovic Orchestra, Zlatne Uste, Raya Brass Band, Veveritse Brass Band, and others. The album centers around a Serbian village festival in Guca, where one of the world's largest brass band competition is held. Most of the bands profiled on this recording are from Serbia with a Romani heritage, but Zlatne Uste is from The United States. However, this soundtrack features music and musicians from western and southern Serbia where different ethnic communities compose different styles of brass band music. At any rate, the music is upbeat, instrumental, and distinctly Balkan. ~ Matthew Forss  

CD Review: ArHai's 'Eastern Roads'

ArHai
Eastern Roads
Balkanworlds Records

ArHai began with Jovana Backovic, a vocalist, keyboardist, and programmer from Serbia. Her bandmate, Adrian Lever, is a tambura player, guitarist, pianist, and double bass player on the album. The duo enlist the help of additional instrumentalists, including tabla, percussion, electric bass, and vocals. The music is folktronic with a good amount of world fusion ranging from South Asian to Scandinavian influences, but Middle Eastern and Mediterranean regions are not too distant either. The background vocals on some tracks are reminiscent of Enigma-type tracks. However, this is not a dance album. Still, there are some 'danceable' tracks that are very moving. If contemporary folk music is what you are after, then ArHai serves it up deliciously. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Various Artists' 'Orient Noir'

Various Artists
Orient Noir
Piranha

This fourteen-track release represents the collective efforts of music curator and collector, Dr. Bertram Nickolay. The musical tapestry of the album traverses the Mediterranean, North African region, and the Middle East. Several notable artists are involved in this project, including Watcha Clan, Bi Kidude Baraka, Mahmoud Fadl, Susan Sandler, Ihsan Al-Mounzer, Maurice El-Medioni, The Klezmatics, Emil Zrihan, and others. The music is joyous, boisterous, and classical with touches of strings, percussion, and chaabi dance music and swirling melodies. There are also elements of gypsy, klezmer, jazz, and improvisation throughout. The mix of styles is not a negative, as each song is something different, but always engaging. Listen to the music of Serbia, Jerusalem, NY, Lebanon, Egypt, Zanzibar, France, and elsewhere. Vocals are in Arabic, French, Hebrew, Ladino, and Swahili. This is a great compilation from the Orient. ~ Matthew Forss 

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: Shazalakazoo's 'Karton City Boom'

Shazalakazoo
Karton City Boom
Eastblok Music

The contemporary electronic group from the Balkans, Shazalakazoo, is an innovative band with a strong mixture of diverse musical styles, vocals, and rhythms. For instance, the Serbian band incorporates a bit of Latin, Middle Eastern, and Mediterranean influences into their repertoire. Though, the electronic elements are not particularly evident--instead, the urban, almost hip hop vocal deliveries, contain an inherent popular feel without resorting to rock or pop idioms. The fifteen tracks are inspired by the cardboard or shanty towns of the Balkans and other areas of the world. The danceable rhythms and melodies reflect an upbeat tone throughout. The powerful melodies and instrumental prowess of Balkan brass or Klezmer music is not particularly absent here. Fans of urban, Balkan, and electronic bass music will love the hip tunes of Shazalakazoo. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Antwerp Gipsy-Ska Orkestra's 'I Lumia Mo Kher'

Antwerp Gipsy-Ska Orkestra
I Lumia Mo Kher
Excelsior Recordings

The Antwerp, Belgium-based, Antwerp Gipsy-Ska Orkestra is a purveyor of Balkan-ska-punk music with a lively vibe of crazy horns, wild beats, and party atmospheres that will last long after the tracks end. The group incorporates Belgian, Serbian, Chilean, and Balkan roots with innovative and jaunty tunes. The first track, "Basalaja," features Marko Markovic, while "A La Truko" features MC Sebo and the "Roma Project" features the Kocani Orkestar. The eleven tracks traverse a plethora of styles and languages with rap, reggae, pop, big band, gypsy, klezmer, Balkan, Mediterranean, and ska-punk music topping the primary influences. The album title, which means 'The World Is My House' in Serbian Romani, is a perfect caricature of the group's musical style and arrangements. Gypsy music fans have another fine recording to acquire, thanks to the Antwerp Gipsy-Ska Orkestra. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Electric Balkan Jazz Club's 'Balkan Dogs'

Electric Balkan Jazz Club
Balkan Dog
Musique Estetica

From the Mediterranean to the Balkans, Electric Balkan Jazz Club presents an exciting mix of music inspired by Greece, Macedonia, Serbia, Romania, and German music traditions. The upbeat percussion, wailing brass, and whirling melodies are accomplished with the guitar, bass, accordion, bouzouki, oud, saz, mandolin, darbuka, sax, clarinet, and others. The twelve tracks contain energetic rhythms and melodies that are reminiscent of klezmer and gypsy songs, too. The mix of vocal and instrumental songs provides a great selection of danceable tunes. The emotive vocals and ballad-esque repertoire on some occasions, makes Balkan Dog nothing to 'balk' at! ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Natasa Mirkovic and Nenad Vasilic's 'Soulmotion'

Natasa Mirkovic and Nenad Vasilic
Soulmotion
Galileo Records

Natasa Mirkovic is Bosnian and Nenad Vasilic is Serbian, but they are based in Vienna, Austria. The folk duo create a set of songs that are interpretations of classic songs from Yugoslavia originally composed in the 1970s and 80s. Nenad, a jazz bassist, fills in the sound with punchy playing that would light up any classical or jazz ensemble. Nenad is accompanied by Natasa on vocals. Natasa's voice is heartfelt, but not too obtrusive or over-the-top. Instead, Natasa brings a youthful, spirited, and intelligent mix of vocals that would be perfect for a lounge club or jazz club. The twelve songs are only accompanied on vocals and upright bass. No other instrumentation is employed. The result is a raw, intimate, and candid music session that is very enjoyable. Anyone with an interest in Yugoslavian music and jazz will love the cozy vocal wanderings of Natasa Mirkovic and her bass partner, Nenad Vasilic. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: BalkanBeats From German/Bosnian Beatmaster Robert Soko

Various Artists

BalkanBeats: A Night In Berlin

Piranha

BalkanBeats' brainchild, Robert Soko, is the originator and ambassador of the best Balkan beats organized in Germany. Robert Soko includes tracks by some of the most popular groups of gypsy, Balkan, and Rom music today. Boban and Marko Markovic, Vrelo, Kal, Ahilea, Magnifico, Al Jawala, and other musicians are included on this release. Some of the tracks feature vocals in English, Turkish, Slovak, Romany, Lari, Hungarian, German, Czech, Russian, Serbian, and Slovak languages. This attests to the widespread Balkan diaspora. As an added bonus, the CD includes a full-artist information file and slideshow when placed in a CD-ROM. The pulsating, gyrating, and funky brass beats ignite a high-danceability index. Piranha has yet again produced another amazing Balkan beat album for all to enjoy. ~ 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