Balkansemblet – Curved Grooves (Etnisk Musikklubb, 2009)
Balkansemblet’s album, “Curved Grooves” released by Etnisk Musikklubb in 2009, marked a significant milestone in the band’s journey of musical exploration since the 1980s. The group’s music evolved to become more open and improvisational, and the majority of the compositions on the album were self-created. Despite these changes, the music still retains its roots in the rhythms, scales, and sounds of the Balkans, and the sense of audacity and spontaneity permeates throughout the record.
Balkansemblet’s musical achievements have been recognized by the Norwegian music community, having won the country’s top music award for their eponymous album in 1985. After a two-decade long hiatus, the band made a comeback in 2005 with two original members and three new, highly talented musicians. The initial phase of the band’s journey was an odyssey of discovering the rich musical and cultural heritage of the Balkans, culminating in the release of their albums “Balkan Samlet” and “Kvikk Sand,” numerous radio and television appearances, as well as live performances across Norway and Scandinavia.
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.