Serbia’s music has had a strange journey to holeytonal - beginning in Lebanon, via Brooklyn and Hammersmith.
Well it didn’t strictly start in Lebanon, but I fell in love with Gulag Orkester, Beirut’s debut album. I was completely lost in Balkan brass and indie fusion for a year.
Excitedly I introduced Beirut to my Serbian friend in Hammersmith, only for her to say in a mock Balkan accent “its good, but to hear the heart of Serbia, listen to Boban Markovic”
Boban Markovic and his Balkan Brass Band’s music is Serbian to its core. Markovic’s virtuoso trumpet playing and his brilliant ensemble has earned him many awards in his home country, and has managed to garner a world wide following. Besides, any band with a sousaphone deserves to win something.
Oasis even had to postpone a set at a Hungarian festival for 30 minutes, as everyone was watching Boban Markovic. He pissed off the Gallaghers - total legend.
Boban Markovic - Atlantis (mp3)
“Reminds me of gap year students smacking bongos trying to save the planet” was my friend’s reaction to world music. Sadly, a view echoed by many.
But the world is big and music doesn’t only come from the US and the 51st State. Not even rock. BLK JKS are from Johannesburg. They rock. South African Style.
Urban music is the mainstay in East Rand, but the brave BLK JKS broke the mould. Their dubby art rock splinters stereotypes. Their charm? You know you’re listening to South African rock.
They’re universally loved at home, and gaining momentum universally. Recently featured in Observer Music Monthly, and at Along the Waterfall the band are surprisingly still unsigned. Not for long I’m sure.
I’ve been struggling to find good music recently. But Lakeside has been stuck in my head and I can’t seem to move it. If this is the start of BLK JKS then I can’t wait for more.
BLK JKS - Lakeside (mp3)
They won the European category at the 2008 BBC Radio 3 World Music Awards, and you can hear why. Son de la Frontera are a flamenco band like which you have probably never heard.
Their flamenco looks back to the legendary Diego del Gastor, however Son de la Frontera win awards because their influences aren’t confined to Spain alone. You can hear inflections from Morocco, Afghanistan and India. The reason for their worldly soundscape is to trace back to the ancient roots of flamenco. Occasional hints of raga and ghazal surprise, but blend in so snugly to create a magical universal touch.
Their second album, Cal
, has completely blown me away. The opening features palmas or flamenco clapping, which in many ways reminds me of the complex rhythms of Asian music. Virtuoso clapping, who would have thought:
Son de la Frontera - Un Compromiso Toda Una Vida (mp3)
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