Darko Rundek & Cargo Orkestrar, “Ruke” (Piranha)

From Croatia comes Rundek, a singer, poet, actor and theater director.  He led the Yugo-cult band Haustor, and since then, his vision and sound have been decidedly left-field.

Here Rundek has teamed with Cargo Orkestrar, a motley crew of international musicians, and the concept behind this album is a dark journey in the bowels of a ship—the cargo.

“Ruke” has a sauntering, jazzy feel to it, with French, Balkan and Middle Eastern streams.  Rundek’s vocals—in Croatian, French and Spanish—are smoky, knowing, yet meandering.  This is the kind of atmospheric album you want to play at night, from start to finish—it’s a strange, yet rewarding, little journey.