Bulgarian Gypsy Music

1. Singing Gypsies

2. Sofiysky Kjuchek {Gypsy Dance from Sofia} [Instrumental]

3. A, Bre, Chico (Hey, Uncle)

4. Tiger [Gypsy Dance] [Instrumental]

5. Early in the Morning

6. Gotzedelchevsky Kjuchek {Gypsy Dance from Gotze Delchevo} [Instrumental

7. I Have Two Eyes

8. Satovchansky Kjuchek {Gypsy Dance from Satovchantzi} [Instrumental]

9. Your Eyes to See

10. Maiden's Kjuchek (Maidens Gypsy Dance) [Instrumental]

11. Magdalena

12. Joke

Bulgarian Gypsy Music,Ibro Lolov Gypsy Orchestra,Arc Music,Bulgaria,Bulgarian Folk,European Folk,Gypsy,Int'l & World Music,International,Pop,Traditional European Folk

Electric Gypsyland 2
Average customer rating:

total fun - multiple listens..

a lot of fun

Electric Gypsyland 2
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Crammed Disc Us
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Bulgaria | Eastern Europe | Europe | International | Styles | Music
Gypsy | Eastern Europe | Europe | International | Styles | Music
General | International | Styles | Music
Electronica | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Electric Gypsyland

Bucovina Club, Vol. 2

Balkan Beat Box

Urban Gypsy

Nu Med

ASIN: B000IHZJ1U
Release Date: 2006-11-07

Tracks:

Homecoming - Taraf De Haidouks
Alone At My Wedding - Buscemi
Oi Bori Sujie - Kocani Orkestar
Red Bula - Mahala Rai Banda
Romano Dance - Mahala Rai Banda
Mi Bori San Korani - Kocani Orkestar
Duba Duba Si Hora - Taraf De Haidouks
A Rom And A Home - Taraf De Haidouks
Maxutu - Cibelle
The Man Who Drinks - Mahala Rai Banda
Morceau D'Amour - Mahala Rai Banda
Neacsu In Africa - Taraf De Haidouks
Immigrant Radio/Soldier Tufaiev Abroad - Yuriy Gurzhy, Russendisko & Friends
Go East - Taraf De Haidouks
Ismail Oro - Kocani Orkestar
Spoitoresa Revisited (Got The Parts Mix) - Mahala Rai Banda

Tracks:

Cudna Zena - Kocani Orkestar
Siki, Siki Baba - Kocani Orkestar
L'Orient Est Rouge - Kocani Orkestar
Duba, Duba Si Hora - Taraf De Haidouks
Terno Chelipe - Taraf De Haidouks
Cind Eram La '48 - Taraf De Haidouks
A La Turk - Taraf De Haidouks
Spoitoresa - Mahala Rai Banda
Lest Sexy - Mahala Rai Banda
Romano Dance - Mahala Rai Banda
The Fiancee's Dream - Zelwer
Soldier Tufaiev Gets Married - Zelwer

Customer Reviews:

total fun - multiple listens.........2007-03-12

constant fun and creative mixing make this one of the most continuous listens I've had in long time. Surprising, complex, and fun.

Great in the house or car...and it's one that my son (12) and I both enjoy. Personally like this better than Electric Gypsyland one...

a lot of fun.......2007-01-23

This was #5 on John Schaefer's 2006 New Sounds Top 10 [...], and what a great choice it is, though I liked the first CD better than the bonus CD. At some point the distinction between this and big band klezmer gets blurred, but it's still very entertaining. I may have to get volume one.

Average customer rating:

An Awesome Anthology
You'd be nuts not to get this...

Around The World (For A Song)
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Rykodisc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Egypt | Africa | International | Styles | Music

General | Africa | International | Styles | Music

India | India & Pakistan | International | Styles | Music

General | India & Pakistan | International | Styles | Music

Tibet | Far East & Asia | International | Styles | Music

General | International | Styles | Music

Native American | North America | International | Styles | Music

General | Compilations | International | Styles | Music

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Similar Items:

Voci (Voices)
Mickey Hart's Mystery Box
Planet Drum

ASIN: B0000009MI
Release Date: 1991-10-25

Tracks:

Planet Drum: Udu Chant - Mickey Hart
Diga: Sweet Sixteen - Diga Rhythm Band
Songs Of Amber: Blow Wind Blow - Dzintars: The Latvian Women's Chor
Drums Of Passion; The Beat: Akiwowo (A Capella) - Babatunde Babatunde Olatunji
Drums Of Passion; Invocation: Kori - Babatunde Olatunji
The Groom - Music Of Upper And Lower Egypt
Dafos: Dry Sands Of The Desert - Mickey Hart, Airto,Flora Purim
The Traveling Jewish Wedding: Tov L'Hodot - Golden Gate Gypsy Orch
Eclipse: Mwashah - Hamza El-Din
Bamboo Jews Harp (Edit) - Voices Of The Rainforest
The Apocalypse Now Sessions: Compound - Rhythm Devils
Venu: Alop And Jor - Harpiprasad/Zakir Hussain
Sarangi: Raga: Bageshree (Edit) - Ustad Sultan Khan
Freedom Chants: Yamantaka (Edit) - The Gyuto Monks
Songs Of The Great Lakes Indians: Grand Entry Song (Little Otter Singers) - Honor The Earth Powwow
At The Edge: Sky Water (Edit) - Mickey Hart

Customer Reviews:

An Awesome Anthology.......2005-09-30

Save yourself the expense of buying all those early CDs from Mickey Hart and RYKOdisk's "The World" series. The best of it is all concentrated in this wonderful (and very inexpensive!) anthology.
Lots of surprises, and I challenge you not to get up and dance to Diga Rhythm Band's "Sweet Sixteen".

You'd be nuts not to get this..........1998-09-28

An overwhelming amount of wonderful music for the price of lunch, this is a deal not to be missed. There's samples from most of Rykodisc's excellent World series, with tracks handpicked by Mickey Hart. Nearly everything here is top-rate, but special favorites are Raga:Banshree and the awesome Sweet Sixteen. Really, at this price, you can't afford not to get this disc.

Average customer rating:

Thrills and Palpitatons! Oh My Racing Heart!

Bulgarian Gypsy Music
Ibro Lolov Gypsy Orchestra
Manufacturer: Arc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Folk | Styles | Music

General | International | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000ACZXAA
Release Date: 2005-09-20

Tracks:

Singing Gypsies
Sofiysky Kjuchek [Gypsy Dance from Sofia][Instrumental]
A, Bre, Chico (Hey, Uncle)
Tiger [Gypsy Dance][Instrumental]
Early in the Morning
Gotzedelchevsky Kjuchek ... [Gypsy Dance from Gotze DeLchevo]
I Have Two Eyes
Satovchansky Kjuchek [Gypsy Dance from Satovchantzi][Instrumental]
Your Eyes to See
Maiden's Kjuchek (Maidens Gypsy Dance) [Instrumental]
Magdalena
Joke

Customer Reviews:

Thrills and Palpitatons! Oh My Racing Heart! .......2006-12-13

ARC CDs are among my favorites for music from the Balkans and Central European (Hungary). ARC does a great job in capturing the authentic music of the Roma (Gypsies) from these regions and this CD is no exception. It is filled with outstanding, authentic, original, contemporary Bulgarian Roma music primarily from the city. The music is barely distinguishable from the popular music of Bulgaria itself. Ibro Lolov is credited with composing all the music and lyrics on this CD. What a major achievement! What a creative musical artist! What huge talent! The rhythms are totally infectious, contagious, highly addictive!!! What a shame the liner notes are so sparse! Listeners would appreciate having translations of the lyrics and more detailed information about each track, the musical style and unusual rhythm. Is it 5/8, 7/8, or what? When I danced to traditional folk music including Bulgarian, I could figure it out. I have not danced in a long time ... the desire to know is still there.

This music is fast, furious and firey. It has mysterious undertones and appealing, magnetic vocals ... Ibro Lolov is credited with playing the accordion (for which he won First Prize at "The Heart of the Accordionist" competition in Paris). Listen to the recording, you will understand! Other instruments include, a clarinet, darbouka (drums) keyboards, and two vocalists. What is not credited is the Bulgarian violin, which is so outstanding in virtuosity on tracks #2, #4, and several others. There are at least four coceks (chocheks), typical Balkan Gypsy rhythms that heat up the blood and stoke the flames causing the feet to dance ... Anyone who loves Balkan music and dance will enjoy this CD and want to own it. Erika Borsos (pepper flower)

Average customer rating:

Gypsy Music from Bulgaria, Vol. 2
Ibro Lolov & His Gypsy Orchestra
Manufacturer: Arc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Folk | Styles | Music

General | International | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00004ZC6C
Release Date: 2001-01-30

Tracks:

Singing Gypsies
Sofiysky Kjuchek (Gypsy Dance from Sofia)
A, Bre, Chicho (Hey, Uncle)
Tiger (Gypsy Dance)
Early in the Morning
Gotzedelchevsky Kjuchek (Gypsey Dance from Gotze Delchevo) ...
I Have Two Eyes
Statovchansky Kjuchek (Gypsy Dance from Satovchantzi)
Your Eyes to See
Maiden's Kjuchek (Maiden's Gypsy Dance)
Magdalena
Joke

Average customer rating:

Good quality
Romanian Musical Extravaganza
Exciting music from Romania

Air Mail Music: Balkan Memories
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Playasound
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | International | Styles | Music

Turkey | Middle East | International | Styles | Music

General | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music

International | Imports | Stores | Music

4-for-3 International | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 Pop | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00003TFKG
Release Date: 2000-01-11

Tracks:

Bruil Pe 6
Dansul Fetelor De La Crihalma
Promuletul
Bruil Banatean
Sirba De La Sticlaria
Jiana De La Jina
Jurelul
Floricica
Vlascencuta
Hora Muntenesca
Triliseste
Ghimpele Dobrogcan
Bruil Zarvenilor
Hora Nutii
De-A-Lungul
Bruil Voinicilor
Trei Pazeste
Dans Din Oas
Coasa
Bugeacul
Tiganeasca Din Giubeg
Tioculetul
Treipazeste De La Dunareni

Customer Reviews:

Good quality.......2004-05-02

Sounds professional, the music covers all the different areas of Romania.

Romanian Musical Extravaganza.......2003-09-09

This CD is packed with traditional music one could hear on the Radio or in a restaurant in Romania. It is infectious, fast-paced, energetic music which includes phenomenal violin and cymbalom improvisations. (The cymbalom is a type of hammered dulcimer, usually played by gypsies). This is one out-standing CD at a very great price. If exotic melodies from the Balkans ever captured your imagination you will find this CD appealing. The unique rhythms, melodies and instruments create a musical labrynth which is worth exploring. The musical treasure, once hidden behind the Iron Curtain, is revealed in all its splendor and glory. It is expansive and explosive as it bursts forth into freedom. Erika Borsos (erikab93)

Exciting music from Romania.......2003-04-07

I have several Air Mail Music CDs and they can be hit or miss. This is definitely one of the better ones. Though the title is, "Balkan Memories," these tunes are all Romanian. The ensemble playing them have a polished, modern sound (as opposed to some of the older village styles), and the tunes themselves are beautiful. I think this would appeal to anyone who likes the group, Taraf de Haidouks. As is the case with other Air Mail Music CDs, no information is given about the musicians, tunes, or the music in general (other than a paragraph on the back). There aren't many CDs of this type of music available, so buy it before it goes out of print!

Rough Guide: The Music of Eastern Europe

Average customer rating:

A musical Iron Curtain?
Exploding Balkan Extravaganza!
A soul-searching sonic journey through Eastern Europe...

Rough Guide: The Music of Eastern Europe
Various Artists
Manufacturer: World Music Network
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Folk | Styles | Music

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Rough Guide: The Music of Africa
The Rough Guide to the Music of the Indian Ocean
Rough Guide to the Music of Madagascar
Rough Guide to the Music of China
Rough Guide to the Music of Iran

ASIN: B00000BIBG
Release Date: 1998-09-29

Tracks:

Devoiko Mome - Marta Sebestyen
Spune, Spune, Mos Batrin - Taraf De Haidouks
Kurbis - Apparatschik
L'Orient Est Rouge - Kocani Orkestar
Zaplakala E Gorata - Trio Bulgarka
Staro Cunovo Oro/Velesko Oro - Ferus Mustafov
Calusul - Kalman Balogh & Gipsy Cimbalom Band
2 Wierchowe, Ozwodna, 2Krzesane, 2Drobne - Trebunia Family Band
Ezustmuzisika - Vizonto
Beautiful Milka - The Mystery OF Bulgarian Voice Choir
Danubian Daichovo Horo - 'Horo' Orch
Mamo Marie Mamo - Ivo Papasov & His Bulgarian Wedding Band
The Mountian pacular - Zsaratnok
Valle E Lezhes - Mark Pahku
Anonym - Nikola Parov

Amazon.com

As with most of the Rough Guide music releases, this one casts a wide net, hauling in innovative folk groups like Musikas and Taraf de Haiduks, edgier jazz from Ferus Mustafov and Ivo Papasov, and new musical excursions by bands like Zsarotnok. The set also includes well-known vocal groups like the Mystery of Bulgarian Voices ensemble and Trio Bulgarka. There are some surprises, too. Apparatschik offers a folk-punk sound somewhere between the Pogues and Spike Jones. The "Oriental" brass band Kocani plays Macedonian Rom music with verve. Poland's incredible fiddle orchestra, the Trebunia Family, will be a new surprise to almost any North American listener with its raw power, and Albanian lute player Mark Pashku's 1965 solo recording is superb. Brief but descriptive liner notes tell you what you need to know and no more, but the Rough Guides are meant to help you explore, and they give you the source material to begin your journey. --Louis Gibson

Customer Reviews:

A musical Iron Curtain?.......2003-04-05

This collection was one of the first Rough Guides I wasn't thoroughly impressed by, for various reasons.

Although the tracks were acceptably varied to include different musical dimensions of Eastern Europe, there was a vast amount of terrain left uncovered by this CD. The disc also suffered from a surfeit of brass bands, consequently neglecting many other styles. The problem here is not so much the compilation itself, but the sheer depth and diversity of Eastern European music, the polyglot progeny of a major cultural collision: Turkish, Semitic, Slavic and Hellenic with a dash of Asiatic Magyar thrown in for good measure.
Being of Yugoslavian origin, I am very familiar with Eastern European music and particularly that of Hungary and the Balkans, and can attest to the fact that the tracks barely offer a fleeting glimpse into the immense beauty and variety of this region's musical heritage. Notable omissions include the Hungarian folk ensemble Muzsikas, and indeed any examples of Hungarian/Transylvanian dances or csardas, along with the absence of tambura ensembles from Croatia or Vojvodina (tambura music is among the most exuberant and melodically exquisite of the region, and remains largely unknown in the West), and also the omission of polkas, of which many superb examples can be found in the Czech and Slovenian repertoire. Russian instrumental works, particularly balalaika pieces, were absent, as were the melancholic Islam-flavoured vocals of Bosnia.

The point is, if you enjoyed this CD, great, but this is barely the beginning of the Eastern musical saga, and I urge you to dig deeper and wider in order to really get a feel for the music. Discs I recommend to get you started are The Bartok Album, by Muzsikas; The Incredible Music of the Gypsies, a compilation by Manteca; and Songs and Dances from Croatia, a compilation from Dinaton.

Exploding Balkan Extravaganza!.......2002-04-08

Any CD on which Marta Sebestyen sings first shows exceptional good taste but when she sings in Bulgarian, well that is *really* extraordinairy. She sings "Devoiko Mome" like a native. This CD is jam-packed with the best music that the Balkans have to offer played by the brightest and most talented musicians and singers in the region. The diverse regional styles & variety of instruments played on this CD attests to the fact that "Rough Guide" producers know what they are doing.

This CD has everything: the brass band music of Kocani Orkestar (Macedonia), the cimbalom playing of Kalman Balogh (Hungary)(although it is a Romanian piece he is playing), the beautiful and mysterious voices of a Bulgarian Women's Choir, a Daichovo Oro played by a folk orchestra, Bulgarian wedding music by the master, Ivo Papasov, and last, but not least, my favorite, "The Mountain Pacular" played by Zsaratnok & the ever-talented Nikola Parov. The clarinet improvisations on this track are incredible. Track # 8 amazes me, because although a Polish band, the violin playing is definitely in the Hungarian style, which leads me to believe there was a lot of sharing of music across the borders. This CD is a gem beyond description - dont' pass it up! Erika Borsos (erikab93)

A soul-searching sonic journey through Eastern Europe..........2001-10-14

A few months ago I started looking for Roma (Gypsy) music. There were many different collections that I considered buying, such as "Rough Guide:Music of the Gypsies" and Putumayo's "Gypsy Caravan." However, I fell in love with this CD from listening to soundclips online.

The CD opens with the phenomenal track "Devoiko Mome" by Hungarian songstress Marta Sebestyen (the artist who performed such haunting melodies in "The English Patient"). The wooden flute is raw and soulful, the strings have a rough, mourning quality, and combined with Marta's voice this is easily the best track on the album. The rhythm is lilting and soothing even though the tone shifts between melancholy and joyous.

Also featured are the excellent Roma musicians Tarif de Haidouks, and the now-famous "Mystère des voix bulgares" with their unearthly acapella arrangements of traditional folksongs. I am not familiar with the rest of the artists although all of the songs are performed beautifully.

Tracks:

Wedding Eve - YIbrahimova,
Hear the Drums
Cling Vine - YIbrahimova,
Rustle of White Silk - Stoyan Yankulov, Christo Yotsov
Eat, Drink and Be Merry - YIbrahimova,
Bride's Trousseau
Chalga
Sweet Rakia (The Brandy Bottle With the Red Ribbon)

Anthology of Traditional Songs and Dances from Bulgaria

Average customer rating:

I own this. Lucky me! =)

Anthology of Traditional Songs and Dances from Bulgaria
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Arc Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | International | Styles | Music

General | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00005R1PX
Release Date: 2001-11-27

Tracks:

Instrumental Piece For Gayda (Bagpipe)
'Shari Moma Sharen Chorap'
Instrumental Piece For Kaval (Shepherd's Flute)
'Snoshti Sa Mi Gosti Doshli'
Instrumental Piece For Gayada And Tupan (Double-Headed Drum)
'Delyat Se Moma I Yunak-Slantseto'
Instrumental Piece For Rebec (Gadulka)
'Snoshti Si Minah, Tanka Eleno'
'Momle Le, Mari Hubava'
Instrumental Piece For Tambura (Lute)
'Sabrala Roska Silna Sedenkya
'Ovencho Vakul, Kamatan'
Instrumental Piece For Gayda
'Sabrali Sa, Nabrali Sa'
Instrumental Piece For Dvoyanka (Double Flute)
Instrumental Piece For Rebec (Gadulka)
'Izplela Sam Ti, Mehmete'
Instrumental Piece For Kaval (Shepherd's Flute)
'Dvoychitse, Dvoychitse, Lyubish Li Me Mene?'
'A Bre Vie, Momchetiya'
Instrumental Piece For Two Pishtyalki (Whistles)
'Shto Mi Se Vreva Dochuva'
Instrumental Piece For Gayda

Customer Reviews:

I own this. Lucky me! =).......2004-12-29

This is one heck of a collection. If all the Bulgarian music you've heard so far has revolved around Yuri Yunakov or the Bulgarian Women's Choir (they are both great! not slamming them), you're in for a real treat if you buy this disc. This has more variety (of styles, instruments, performers) than any other single disc of Bulgarian musics I own. Here is a quickie list of instruments... dvoyanka, kaval, pishtyalki (the flutes), gayda (the family of bagpipes traditional to Bulgaria), tambura (lute), tarambuka, tupan (drums), and rebec (a vertical fiddle... sort of the kamancheh or ghichak of Bulgaria... kinda)... as well as groups of female singers and groups of male singers.

There are many things I could say here, but one of the most important things I have to mention is that Track #13 is one of my 2 favorite bagpipe performances ever (at least that I have heard so far, obviously). The other being a track on the Northumberland Rant disc. Wow Wow Wow! That sums up all my thoughts on Track 13.

In form I would have to say that the rebec is more along the lines of the vertical fiddles found all over Asia, but in tone it is much closer to the sound favored by Hungarian fiddlers. It doesn't have that throaty, ethereal moan of the kamancheh, ghichak, etc...

Some of the women singers here... my goodness. I love groups of Bulgarian female vocalists, and this still branches out away from the Bulgarian Women's Choir style, so don't be afraid that you'll just be repeating something you already own.

This disc is really everything you could want in a one-stop-shopping package of Bulgarian music. It is all traditional... no keyboards and pop songs. Various regions, ages, instruments and styles are all represented wonderfully and the quality of the recording is very good as well. Whether just starting out, or adding to a collection, this disc is completely worthy of your time and attention.

Average customer rating:

Bulgarian Gypsy Music
Ibro Lolov Gypsy Orchestra
Manufacturer: Arc Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

General | International | Styles | Music

International | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000ASAU3Y
Release Date: 2005-09-20

Tracks:

Singing Gypsies
Sofiysky Kjuchek [Gypsy Dance from Sofia][Instrumental]
A, Bre, Chico (Hey, Uncle)
Tiger [Gypsy Dance][Instrumental]
Early in the Morning
Gotzedelchevsky Kjuchek ... [Gypsy Dance from Gotze DeLchevo]
I Have Two Eyes
Satovchansky Kjuchek [Gypsy Dance from Satovchantzi][Instrumental]
Your Eyes to See
Maiden's Kjuchek (Maidens Gypsy Dance) [Instrumental]
Magdalena
Joke

Average customer rating:

more beautiful than the first album!
Accordion-led band plays mostly kjuceks

Gypsy Music from Bulgaria, Vol. 2
Ibro Lolov & His Gypsy Orchestra
Manufacturer: Arc Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

General | International | Styles | Music

General | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000056K02
Release Date: 2001-01-30

Tracks:

The Singing Gypsies
Gypsy Dance From Sofia
Hey, Uncle
The Tiger (Gypsy Dance)
Early In The Morning
Gypsy Dance From Gotze Delchevo
I Have Two Eyes
Gypsy Dance From Satovchantzi
Your Eyes To See
Maiden's Gypsy Dance
Magdelena
A Joke

Customer Reviews:

more beautiful than the first album!.......2003-08-23

The first album is beautiful, and this one is even more beautiful! This one is a little more traditional gypsy and Balkan in sound. If you like volume one you may like this one as well or better. If you like Saban Bajramovic or Yuri Yunakov, and Taraf de Haidouks this will probably please you.

Accordion-led band plays mostly kjuceks.......1998-12-01

You never know when you buy a CD of Gypsy music -- are you in for an hour of bad restaurant music, or did you get the real thing? The cover of this CD, with the stereotypical dark-haired woman in a swirling skirt, wasn't reassuring. But once the music began to play, my fears vanished.

For fans of Romani music, this CD is a minor gem. It's by accordionist Ibro Lolov and a small combo including violin, electric bass and darabuka. Most of the tunes are instrumentals, but a few feature Romani-language solo male or female vocals by Angelina Lolova or Boris Marinovich.

Liner notes offer zero information about the band other than its members' names. Is Angelina Ibro's wife or sister? Is guitarist Traicho Lolov Ibro's brother? Where in Bulgaria are they from? No clue. And no written lyrics or translations, either.

The simple arrangements leave no doubt that the accordion player's the star, though Georgi Nochev adds skillful melody and harmony lines on violin and occasionally takes a solo. The singers are good but rarely appear. The production is straightforward -- no synthesizers or other pop gimmicks.

The tunes are mostly instrumental kjuceks (the Bulgarian version of the cocek rhythm played by Rom musicians throughout the Balkans), a nice source recording for foreign musicians interested in this musical form. A couple of the tunes are in 9/8. Two tunes have been transmogrified into Western dance rhythms -- the Gypsy anthem Djelem, Djelem and the song Zeleni Ochi (Green Eyes) -- but for the most part, the recording is schlock-free.

Those familiar with the idiom will be interested by this band's versions of two old favorites by Esma Redzhepova: Bogati Cigani (a variation on her song Ushti, Ushti Baba) and Chaj Shukarije, an instrumental version of the Esma anthem.

But for the most part, the CD offers straight-ahead kjuceks in 2/4, very danceable though occasionally on the quick side. If you like the sound of Esma's band or combos like Rromano Dives from Albania, you'll want to add this to your collection. Had Ibro been willing to share the spotlight with a sax, trumpet and/or clarinet, this CD could have been a classic. As it is, the sound is short on variety, but that's not a big problem if you like this kind of Balkan music. The tunes are good and the musicianship is first-rate.

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