New York City-based septet Slavo Rican Assembly has released its latest single and video, “Zrejlo je žito.” The piece brings together tropical jazz and a traditional Slovenian harvest song.
The video for “Zrejlo je žito” was shot in the Summer of 2019 in bandleader Jan Kus’ homeland of Slovenia. Directed by Slovenian filmmaker Nina Kovačič. This version on a beloved Slovenian folk song is set against the dramatic backdrop of the 13th century Grand Rihmberk castle, near the Slovenian-Italian border.
Kus explains the track’s origin: “‘Zrejlo je žito’ is a very popular Slovenian harvest song. The title translates as “The Grain is Ready”, and the lyrics simultaneously intertwine images of crops and the harvesting season, with a sort of abstract love story narrative.
“The song is very open to interpretation, and I think that this — along with its haunting, harmonic minor melody — is why it resonates so much with audiences and musicians alike. It’s definitely one of the most covered Slovenian folk songs, but I’m pretty sure it was never performed like this before, with a Latin Caribbean- influenced arrangement.”
“The idea of collaborating with Nina Kovačič first started brewing in the Summer of 2018, when I was on tour in Slovenia,” Kus adds. “I’m a big fan of her unique vision and sensibility. She’s very versatile. Her 13 year career in the visual arts began with photography and expanded to video and film, while her acting and dance experience in front of the camera give her certain insights into movement and sound that add depth and perspective to her work. The work process was beautiful, she was very committed and the video looks amazing.”
Slavo Rican Assembly includes musicians from Slovenia, Puerto Rico, Serbia, and Cuba. The ensemble combines Puerto Rican bomba, salsa and Cuban rumba with Slovenian traditional songs, Bosnian lullabies, Serbian laments, Balkan brass and other South Slavic sounds.
The band’s current members are Aleksandra Denda (Serbia) on vocals; band leader Jan Kus (Slovenia) on tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone, vocoder, synths; Gabriel Vicéns (Puerto Rico) on electric guitar; Ahmed Alom Vega (Cuba) on piano, keyboards; Dan Martínez (Puerto Rico) on electric bass, acoustic bass; Fernando García (Puerto Rico) on percussion; and Jean John (Slovenia) on drums.
The track is available from slavorican.bandcamp.com/track/zrejlo-je-ito-live-drom-nyc
Author: World Music Central News Room
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