Kabatronics (World Village UK, 2013)
The grand masters of global fusion Transglobal Underground team up with Albanian brass band Fanfara Tirana, one of the finest acts in the genre, on Kabatronics. This partnership originally started two years ago as a remix project. It was expanded into a full blown collaboration with an exchange of musical ideas.
Kabatronics features the members of Fanfara Tirana, Transglobal Underground’s regular musicians and guest appearances by Albanian folk music legend, vocalist Hysni Niko Zela; Johnny Kalsi (Dhol Foundation, Afro Celt Sound System); brass band leader Marko Markovic; Frank London of the Klezmatics; Kosovar rapper Elda Kuqj; Egyptian percussionist Aly El Minyawi and many more.
Transglobal Underground provides a set of irresistible electronic and global beats, Sheema Mukherjee’s outstanding sitar, spoken word and dancehall. Fanfara Tirana adds inspired vocals, lively clarinet solos, evocative trumpet, percussion and lots of sensational brass.
Fanfara Tirana: Hysni (Niko) Zela on vocals and traditional wind instruments; Fatbardh Capi on clarinets and saxophones; Xhemal Muraj on trumpets; Roland Shaqia on baritone, sax and keyboards; Pëllumb Khepi on baritone and tenor flugelhorns; Mark Luka on trombone; Luan Ruci on tuba; Devis Cacani on tuba; Mario Grassi on darbuka
Transglobal Underground: Tuups on vocals and percussion; Mantu on drums, loops and guitar; Tim Whelan on guitar, loops and keyboards; Sheema Mukherjee on sitar and bass
Kabatronics is an exceptionally good album filled with talented and passionate artists from the worlds of world fusion and Balkan brass music.
Buy the Kabatronics CD or MP3s
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.
Kabatronics is an amazing album. In my opinion one the best albums of the century. Big up.