Tag Archives: Balkan music

Veronika Varga’s True Picture

Veronika Varga is a seasoned performer of more than a decade, both solo and as a member of various ensembles (Babra, BudaPesme, VreMea Válkània, Epseria, and her a cappella project Lemonokipos). True Picture is the recording debut of the Hungarian … Continue reading

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Various artists’ Folk and World Music Galore Vol. 4

I’ve come to look forward to the annual Folk and World Music Galore compilation from the German labels Nordic Notes and CPL-Music. The 2025 version of this comp, Vol. 4, is no exception, and even perhaps the best one yet, … Continue reading

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Kulin Ban’s Ad Drinum

When Vladimir Savić first gathered musicians under the name Kulin Ban in 2005, it was never meant to become a typical band. What began spontaneously at a wedding in Southern Serbia soon evolved into a foundation-like, non-profit project named after … Continue reading

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Vesna Pisarović’s Poravna

Croatian singer Vesna Pisarović has come a long way since her song “Everything I Want” placed 11th in the Eurovision Song Contest 2002. She still sings pop music in concert, and the music on her nine pop albums has been … Continue reading

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De Amsterdam Klezmer Band’s Limonchiki

Judith Gennett wrote this review. Looking for a spicy klezmer band? From Holland, De Amsterdam Klezmer Band might be the band for you. Assigned to Knitting Factory’s alternative sub-label, their music is at times so spiced up with Eastern European … Continue reading

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Romashka’s Romashka

In a little over a year, Romashka have built a reputation as one of the most exciting and energetic bands in New York City’s world music scene. Before converging on Brooklyn, the band’s eight members cut their musical teeth in … Continue reading

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Adam Good’s Dances Of Macedonia and the Balkans

Judith Gennett wrote this review. Adam Good is a Berklee-educated tambura player living in New York City. “Dedicated entirely to the Macedonian Izvorno style,” Dances of Macedonia and the Balkans is just that: a CD spotlighting Balkan dance tunes. Good … Continue reading

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Los Niños de Sara’s Gipsyolé, Jony Iliev & Band’s Ma Maren Ma, and Besh o droM’s Nekemtenemmutogatol! (Can’t Make Me!)

Big Earl Sellar wrote this review. The Romany have long been the makers of the soundtrack of working life throughout Europe. Wherever they roam, they quickly establish themselves as entertainers of the first order, often mixing the popular music around … Continue reading

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Trendafilka’s For the Olives

“Chichovite Konye,” the opening track on Trendafilka’s second album For the Olives was a good choice for its first single, as it presents the vocal group’s two sides in microcosm, as it were. Beginning with a stately, slow traditional polyphonic … Continue reading

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Téa Hodžić Trio’s Stay Awhile

The Téa Hodžić Trio is the first project for these three musicians as a trio, although they’ve been performing together as members of other ensembles for several years. Lead singer and guitarist Téa Hodžić is a native of Sarajevo in … Continue reading

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