Various Artists
Balkan Grooves (Eastblok Music EBM 016CD2010)
In recent years, Berlin has become the gateway to the music of the Balkans and other parts of Eastern Europe. On the CD Balkan Grooves, the Eastblok label has collected some of the finest musicians and remixers involved in the hybridization of Balkan music.
Lower production costs allowed electronic musicians and Balkan DJs to interact and record with traditional musicians from the Balkans. A lot of music out there is never released officially although some of it occasionally makes it to vinyl for specialists and collectors. Balkan Grooves introduces the listener to some of the most exiting fusions, where brass bands meet drum’n’bass, and traditional Gypsy folk meets electronic ambience. The album includes four exclusive pieces.
The cutting edge artists featured include Vienna’s dunkelbunt, Stefano Miele (aka Riva Starr) from Italy, Bosnian-Danish project Fagget Fairys, Berliner Valentino Valente, Dobranotch from St. Petersburg (Russia) and DJ Click from Paris (France) who exchange files between East and West, Watcha Clan (France) remixed by Shazalakazoo (Serbia), Kiril (Macedonia) with rocker Hi-Fi, Leni Kravac from Ljubljana (Slovenia), and Kottarashky of Sofia (Bulgaria).
Balkan Grooves is a powerful collection by the trend makers in the new Balkan music scene.
Buy the album:
- In North America: Balkan Grooves
- In Europe: Balkan Grooves
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
