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Sample Track 1:
"007" from Gili Garabdi
Sample Track 2:
"Godzilla" from Gili Garabdi
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Gili Garabdi
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CD Review

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The Pilot, CD Review >>

This 12-man Romanian brass band will make one quickly forget stereotypical Gypsy sounds.

When the country’s Gypsy population was emancipated in 1864, a grand Romany diaspora sent thousands to America’s shores. Many settled in Northern black ghettos and Southern cities. These culture-rich folks brought deep-rooted brass band traditions to our shores that probably influenced the development of Dixieland and jazz.

That brassy musical prowess is evident on Fanfare Ciocarlia’s new recording. The group is based in the eastern Romanian village of Zece Prajini, and its musical stew is liberally seasoned with Turkish, Romanian, Russian, Slavic and Balkan sonic spices. The virtousic players are capable of fierce solos and lock-step ensemble action. They’re a hard-blowing brotherhood that sounds like a second-line New Orleans funeral band lost and crazy in Eastern Europe.

Through airtight performances and humor, the band stampedes through tunes that include James Bond, Duke Ellington jazz and more.

For an international brassy blast full of energy and multicultural influences, let Fanfare Ciocarlia fuel your next party.

-Eric Feber

 08/05/05
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