The Star Ledger, CD Review >>
Key albums to start your Gypsy music library
Kal, "Kal" (Asphalt Tango) -- These young musicians from Serbia play traditional and original songs that meld Romani elements with a shot of modern electronics.
Ion Petre Stoican, "Sounds From a Bygone Age, Vol. 1" (Asphalt Tango) -- An unlikely story: an unknown musician in the 1960's catches a spy and the government rewards him with a record contract, so he assembles an all-star band of Roma musicians, including Costel Vasilescu, then fades back to obscurity.
Kocani Orkestra, "Alone at My Wedding" (Crammed Discs). This big Macedonia brass and drum band has proven over the years to have the requisite energy to keep revelers moving for three-day weddings.
Boban Markovic Orkestra, "The Promise" (Piranha). The "King" of Gypsy brass, the flugelhorn-playing Markovic of Serbia introduces his son to the brass-and-drum band, which plays with precision and dazzling speed.
Rumen and Angel Shopov, "Soul of the Mahala" (Voice of Roma). Father and son play sweet and soulful string music from southwest Bulgaria.
- Marty Lipp
09/27/06