The group Orlek has its domicile in Zagorje ob Savi, in the heart of the mining area in the center of Slovenia. The name Orlek originates from the name of the hill at the very edge of Zagorje.
Since 1990 they have been playing in the same cast. Their successful beginnings filled them with the desire for creating and also informing listeners about social inconveniences from their area. They established a full contact and filled the audience with enthusiasm.
Their music is a mixture or rock, some sort of polka punk, due to variety of instruments they were spontaneously ranged into ethnic folk music. This has been proved by successful performances on festivals such as festival Druga godba (Slovenia), Folkherbst festival in Plauen (Germany), Okarina festival (Slovenia), Festival Lent (Slovenia), Tanz & Folk Fest in Rudolstadt (Germany), folk festival in Mistelbach (Austria), festival in Mono{ter (Hungary), Folk Fiesta (Poland), folk festival Neum 99 (Bosnia), Miskolc (Hungary EBU festival), Sopron (Hungary – Euromusica festival).
On account of its authentic sound and texts the group has attracted attention of both music experts/critics as well as broad public. In 1994 the group was awarded a local cultural prize Dr. Slavko Grum. Their album Melodije smoga in premoga (Tunes of smog and coal) was nominated for the top Slovene music award Golden note in a category – the best folk and ethnic album.
In 1996 their album Adijo knapi (Goodbye miners) – which talks about disintegration of the mining life in Zagorje – was nominated in a category the best rock album of the year. The same album was awarded a Golden bird prize (by the Liberal Academy of Slovenia), and it was also given the reward of the student radio in Maribor – Marev gojzar (Mars mountaineering boots). The album Salamurca, received two Golden roosters (Slovene grammy): for the best rock album and the best rock composition Na Kum (To Kum).
In the year 2000 group had two successful tours around Australia and New Zealand. They had concerts in their Fringe Festivals in Sydney, Adelaide, Wellington (NZ), and other concerts in Melbourne and some towns in New Zealand.
The band was founded by the late Janez Tori (trumpet) and famed accordionist Jure Tori.
Discography:
Funšterc In Jetrnice (Zlati Zvoki Kisovec, 1992)
Ajmoht (ZKP RTVS, 1994)
Melodije Smoga In Premoga (ZKP RTVS, 1994)
Adijo Knapi (ZKP RTVS, 1995)
Salamurca (Nika Records, 1998)
TETovirani 3 (Nika Records, 2001)
Orlek Exspress (Nika Records, 2004)
Anduht (RTV Slovenija, 2009)
Repete (Klopotec, 2012)
Orlek Unterzug Live (Klopotec, 2014)
Frpruh (Klopotec, 2017)
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.