The klezmatics with joshua nelson and kathryn farmer
brother moses smote the water (Piranha)
The Klezmatics are
the foremost band in the world revival of klezmer music, a
swinging fusion of jazz and Yiddish anthems. The group have
always had a penchant for pushing the boundaries, blending
elements of Middle Eastern and even the avant-garde in their
music. They have made many recordings since exploding on the
nascent world music scene in 1986, but Brother Moses Smote
The Water is their first live CD.
"Klezmer meets
gospel: the one and only Klezmatics, withrenowned gospel artists
Joshua Nelson and Kathryn Farmer, breathe new life into songs
from both the Jewish and African - American heritage to tell
a magnificent story of inspiration and social action, while
weaving a revelatory dialogue between cultures and musical
styles. Their first LIVE album, recorded during the HeimatKlänge
@ MuseumsInselFestival in Berlin, Germany."
With the label's knack for unearthing
gems that reflect the soul of the place and the French propensity
for iconoclasm that revels in both the country's multicultural
roots and the vast terrain of its own heritage this collection
is not only firmly centred but wildly diverse.
traditional
music from macedonia - various (Arc music)
Less strident in approach than the music of their gypsy
counterparts Traditional Music From Macedonia sways
eloquently on the metaphysical fence between Slavic Europe
and the Middle East, bolstered by the complex rhythms and
subtle graduations of accelerandi and decelerandi that are
child’s play to this talented bunch of musicians.
mysterious
albania - various (Arc music)
On ‘Marcel Cellier Presents
Mysterious Albania’ the sheer variety of musical
styles revealed is breathtaking…orchestral pieces heavily
influenced by Oriental music, beautifully melodious vocal
airs, sprightly gypsy airs, meditations on violin, astonishingly
virtuosic bagpipe laments, Slavic sounding vocal choirs,
vocal polyphony that calls to mind Bulgarian vocal music
and other string or flute music combinations that simply
defy the imagination.
electric gypsyland
- various
This fascinating album features 13 tracks
from three of the world’s finest gypsy bands produced
by 13 different electronic music producers, Standout tracks
are the combination of Romania’s Taraf de Haidouks
(who recently performed at the Sydney Festival) with the
legendary Bucovina Club production team, and Macedonia’s
brassy Kocani Orkestra with Senor Coconut. Very cool album!
cara dillon (Rough
trade)
Though firmly traditional in content
and spirit there are some wonderful arranging touches here
that modernise the music, not only Sam's minimalist piano
but also the sympathetic incorporation of elements of rock
and contemporary balladry.
Italian Treasury: Liguria:
Baiardo and Imperia (Rounder)
Italian Treasury: Liguria:
Polyphony of Ceriana (Rounder)
