Bulgarian Horo | Is there a common Ottoman imprint in the Balkans?

This is a Dunavski Horo which is a Bulgarian Horo based out of the Northern region in Bulgaria bordering the Danube River. Horo is a Bulgarian Folk dance usually done in a circle while hold hands. The types of Horo vary in style by region, hence the naming of this horo as the Dunavski Horo (Danube Horo).


I've decided to highlight some the difference folk dances throughout the Balkans on the blog. It is somewhat controversial (at least in the Balkans) but I keep seeing visually and through audio a common linkage which I feel may come from the occupation of the Ottoman Empire. I'm curious what other people think.

I must explain to Western readers that these different forms of folk dance are usually interpreted as culturally separate, independently developed folk cultures. To tell a Bulgarian that Horo is similar to modern day folk dancing in Turkey (or another Balkan country) is an affront to their nation and culture and most would be, at a minimum, upset if not aggressive. The same goes for Greek folk dancing, Macedonian, Kosovoian, Albanian, etc. Each country has its unique cultural identity that defines it as separate from the great Balkan whole. These societies cling to folk dance and music a way to prove the right for their countries to exist. The logic follows: If the people speak different languages and have different folk dance and music traditions then they music be culturally different enough to be determined as a separate country. This holds true in Bulgaria, where its unlikely a single Bulgarian would openly admit any Ottoman influences on their Folk dance and music traditions.

Kosovo and Montenegro are good examples of the cultural concept. They both have created new languages base off of dialects of Serbian while also asserting their own cultural brand of folk dancing. However, they are newly created countries with little history as a Political Nation while obviously having centuries of history as a territorial region. Fifty years ago, it was Bulgaria with Philip Kotev making is cultural stamp of uniqiness with the revival of Bulgarian Folk Dance and Music.

I'm showing these forms of folk music dances together in this series because I find it fascinating from an outside perspective in how they seem to have a common undercurrent. However, please be aware that it may seem somewhat culturally insensitive to do so in such a manner.

Hüsnü Şenlendirici | Daily Dose | Roma Turkish Music!

Husnu Senlendirici | Kumsalda

Special Thanks to Ido Atlasian from Istanbul for the recommendations. Even though the Balkans have many similar cultural influences (usually in the form of Ottoman cultural legacies) its often hard to know about every artist from every country. So, I'm learning and I would love your recommendations. Send them here and I'll post them.

Hüsnü Şenlendirici or Husnu Senlendirici (latinized) is a famous Roma musician from Turkey who plays traditional Turkish folk music. Trained at the Turkish State Music Conservatory for four years, Husnu then continued to play professionally with multiple bands such as Magnetic Band. He currently plays with a quintet Hüsnü Şenlendiri and Laço Tayfa.

He is reknowned for is ability to play the clarinet and has toured internationally at jazz festivals displaying his talent. Note the similarities between his "jazz/westernized" (at least for this video) style of music and Bulgarian Roma music. Obviously, the clarinent is a shared instrument and music is very similar. Anyway, wonderful music. Enjoy!


Wikipedia Entry for Hüsnü Şenlendirici (Descriptive and Recommended)

Calabash Music Entry for Hüsnü Şenlendirici (More Descriptive)

Djena | Daily Dose | New Chalga!

Djena| Shte Te Spechelia (You will Win)

Another Chalga Pop Folk hybrid. They synthesizer is an influence from Roma Tallava. All and all its a song for the car or the radio.

Damian Kachulski comments:

It is a nice one, fun and people relax when listening to it.

Emanuela | Daily Dose | New Chalga!

Emanuela - na povikvane

More lovely Chalga, this time from Emanuela. My Bulgarian friend comments:

Damian Kachulsi says:

Boo, this song is driving me crazy. It is everywhere, but it reminds me of another Emanuela song Da si plashtal (For you to have paid). Aren`t they kind of similar (I think they are both cover versions of another songs).

Here is the Emanuela's "Da si Plashtal" (For you to have paid) for comparison:


Emanuela - Da Si Plashtal

Anelia | Daily Dose | New Chalga!

Anelia | Poruchai Pak - Order It Again (Alcohol)

Anelia is also a stable of Chalga and this in on of her new songs this year. Its interesting because because she's using different influences and kind of mish-mashing them. Such as: the "le le le, le le le" is usually used in Roma music or Tallava.

Enjoy.

Preslava| Daily Dose | New Chalga!

Preslava | Ot Dobrite Momicheta - One of the Good Girls

This is Preslava. She is arguably the most popular Chalga singer in Bulgaria right now. This is one of her new songs that is getting a lot of play. She's known for being naturally well endowed in Bulgaria (although there is debate). Anyway, enjoy.

Alisiya | Daily Dose | New Chalga!

Alisiq |Nai-varvejen - The Most Demanded

Another new Chalga song which Bulgarians would probably classify as "Chalga" as opposed to "Pop-Folk" but are similar enough to grouped as Chalga. Let's look at our Chalga Checklist:

• Almost Naked Woman Singing- Check
• Poor lyrics that are simple and silly that sing about sex, women, men and/or drinking? - Check
• Mixture of Roma, Western Hip-Hop and Balkan Music -Check
  

Its official, its Chalga.

Here is what my Bulgarian friend, Damian Kachulski, had to say about the song:

We say "Nai-Varvejen" or "The Most Demanded" when a brand is very popular, sells very successfully and people want to have it. In the song, the man she is singing for is "the most demanded", as if he sells well at a store. People like it, but however it is a very stupid song.

Azis | Daily Dose | New Chalga!

Azis | Teb Obicham - You, I love

Another song from Azis. My friends in Bulgaria are telling me its getting a lot of radio play and disco club play. My Bulgarian friend, Damian Kachulski and I both swear we have heard this from somewhere before but can't place. Azis has a horrible track record of "borrowing" songs and claiming them as his own. Let me know if this is the case for this one. Enjoy the Chalga / Pop-Folk!

Simitli's Men Singing Group - Izvorite | Daily Dose | Bulgarian Folk Music

Here is another post from Simitli, Bulgaria where I lived for two years as a Peace Corps Volunteer. This is a Bulgarian Folk Music group based out of my home town. They are a good example of the men only choirs prevalent in Bulgaria. Often looked over because of the quality and popularity of Bulgarian all women choirs such as The Mystery of the Bulgarian Voices and Trio Bulgarka. Anyway, enjoy the post and be sure to look at the pictures. I took most of the photos and they are all photos from my town.

Again, I have the full CD of Izvorite also if anyone wants it. Just email me through my profile.

The Ostblog | Daily Dose | New Balkan Music Blog

http://www.ostblog.at in German too

There's a Balkan music blog that I just discovered (or they found me) coming from Austria. Written in German (a much better option for the 4% percent of you that hail from Deutschland and Austria), they have cleverly installed a translator that adequately translates all the pages into English.

The blog discusses the Balkan Music movement (Gypsy Punk, Balkan Brass, Balkan Music DJs) from more of a European Perspective but the writer also travels a lot and is introduced to many different styles of music (Kiev and Moscow, just as an example). Its definitely a source to look into when researching about Balkan Music, be sure to check it out.

Be sure to also check out the most recent contributor's MySpace page;

PUTIN DA REKORD

There also is a page detailing what I believe is the list of contributors:

Kollektiv Fischka on the Blog

Separate Website, but in German

Zlatina Metodieva | Daily Dose | Bulgarian Folk Music

Zlatina Metodieva | First Solo Album

This particular post is about an actual Bulgarian friend of mine that I worked with as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Simitli, Bulgaria. The YouTube video is a track from Zlatina's first solo album. She is a young Roma woman still in high school that has studied Bulgarian Folk Music at a school in Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria. The photos are from her marketing promotion in town to raise funds for printing and making copies of the Album. I took all of the photos and they are from Simitli.

The music is good example of current Bulgarian Folk Music, which is slightly different than the style of The Mystery of the Bulgarian Voices and Philip Kolev. It (conceptually) is more like country music in America.

Anyway, I have the whole CD so if anyone is interested in listening to it. Just email me robert . proudfoot at geemail . com (its on my profile too). Anyway, congratulations to Zlatina for a successful recording of a first solo album.

Boban Markovich | Daily Dose | In Your Stores Now

Boban Markovich is one of the founders of the Balkan Brass movement, more so in the sense that he and other great Romani musicians served as the musical base for western artists. His Serbian Brass music, similar to Hungarian Brass music, has gained popularity within western countries as of late, especially in Europe.

Quick Serbian Language lesson:

Boban Markovic is pronounced Boban Markovich. The "Ć" is actually a "Ch". This usage of "C" holds true for most Slavic languages.

His music is more traditional than the more modern "crossover" artists using Balkan Brass such as Beirut, Shantel and Balkan Beat Box. The music is Serbian / Former Yugoslavian (read: Macedonian, Montenegro, Albanian, Croatian and Bosnian influences). In some circles, he is considered the "King of Gypsy brass bands"and definitely is a great introduction to Balkan Music. He made a name for himself at the Guca (Gucha, remember the "C" is "ch") Golden Trumpet Music Festival by winning the Golden Trumpet in 2001.

While Boban Markovich is Roma and plays Balkan Brass music, its difficult to classify what is "Roma" music and what is a national music (Serbian). So just keep in mind that Boban is from Serbia and draws a lot of influences from Serbian culture while also injected Roma style and culture as well.

I just recently saw this album in the Virgin Megastore in Times Square NYC last week:

Here are some samples from this Boban Markovich Orkestar Album:

TRACK #3: SAT


TRACK #4: MUNDO COCEK (excellent, please play)




Also, there is a live recording floating around of Boban Markovich that I've seen recently in record stores:

Muharrem Ahmeti | Albanian + Roma | Daily Dose

Muharrem Ahmeti | Albania 2007


This is an Albanian private party with Live music from Muharren Ahmeti.Its hard to tell if its a wedding or not, but this definitely would be played at a wedding. He and the band are switching styles of music throughout the night from Turkish, Roma and traditional. Amza Tairof, from Macedonia, is also there playing on the the KORG. Notice how the money given to the musicians and skilled dancers (usually women), something not quite as normal in America.

Orkestar Kristali | Wedding Music, Romani Style | Daily Dose

Orkestar Kristali - Instrumental


Orkestar Kristali is one of the most popular and reknowned Roma bands in Bulgaria. They play mostly Roma weddings and festivals. It would be considered Roma Music in Bulgara, a big departure from Romanian and Serbian Roma music

Notice the KORG is still there.

Sevchet | Tallava | Daily Dose

Sevchet - Rap/hip-hop/Romani



Sevchet is a Romani musician from Macedonian who straddles Tallava / Traditional Romani music and hip-hop / Rap. Here is a live recording of Sevchet (sometimes written Sevcet or Sev4et; 4=c=ch in Slavic languages sometimes online). This would probably be classified as Tallava but it would be also called just Roma music in Bulgaria.

Amza | Tallava / Roma Music | Daily Dose

Synthesizer King: Amza Tairof


Here is a solo performance of Amza Tiroif. Some things of note about Amza:

1. He's a one man band that compliments other musicians or can go alone
2. He plays a variety of music and there is a influence of Balkan Folk music (at least Bulgarian) but he improvises live and embellishes heavily.
   
3. He's from Macedonia, but plays all over the Balkans for Roma concerts/parties.

It also says something of the staying power of the Synthesizer in Roma Music (Mentioned Previously). Obviously, the instrument has been legitimized within the region just by virtue of the demand of musicians that play it.

Cita + Amza | Tallava | Daily Dose

Cita Live


Okay, I know, it looks pretty cheesily filmed and Cita has an amazing mullet. But he CAN sing and that's what really matters, right? Cita is the Roma singer with the shorter hair. He had a TV special with Amza (with the long hair, more in the next Daily Dose) in Macedonia; the beer advertisement is for a the Skopje / Skopie beer company.

I want you to notice a pattern, of sorts, with tallava: Its usually solitary or with minimal accompaniment; its heavy on synthesizers; crisp "barabani" drums lead the beat.

Enjoy!

Aliosha | Daily Dose | Ridiculously Good Roma Music in Bulgaria

Aliosha is a Romani Clarinetist that also sings from Bulgaria. Originally from, I believe, Montana, Bulgaria, he has earned a reputation within the Roma Community as a one of the better Romani musicians. His style of music, as with much of Bulgarian Roma music, is much more different than what is considered Serbian (Brass Band) Roma music or Romanian Roma music (violins). He also is well known for his singing of the Tallava style of music as well.

He typically plays at weddings and other events with a mixture of Romani Kuchek and Bulgarian folk music (but with a distinctive sound to it). Occasionally, he plays with Sasho Bikov (barabani drummer), Okka who plays soprano sax and Orkestar Univers.

An interesting dynamic of Bulgarian roma music is that the musicians often don't play as a "set" but often mix and match musicans based on availability,

When searching for Aliosha, use a combination of Bulgarian and transliterated Englished.

• Aliosha
• Alioshkata (The Aliosha)
• Альошката (The Aliosha)
• Альоша (Aliosha)
  



Here are some examples of his music via YouTube and vbox7.com (Bulgarian YouTube). One thing you should keep in mind is almost all of these recordings are made by amaeturs and the sound quality isn't going to be matching professional recording studios:



Aliosha playing live with at Roma Wedding in Bulgaria



Aliosha with Fekata (also plays clarinet)