Sevchet (Sevched) 2007 CD

Sevchet Dade Dade (Track 2)


Sevchet is one of more popular figures of Macedonian Tallava. He straddles many different styles of music ranging from Chalga/Pop-Folk to Rap to Wedding Music. He's definitely a figure to watch. I'll be posting one of his more famous CDs a littler later so be sure to check in again for more Sevchet

Track Listing:

1. Crazy
2. Dade Dade
3. Losno Jak Te Na Dikeltu (.wma file, SORRY!)
4. Adela
5. Evropa (Europe)
6. [title deleted, unknown]
7. Holla Holla
8. You Are Me Sexy Lover
9. Feat. HAJGARA BEND 2007 - HEJT KOLJO AMALA 2007
   

Download Link:

Sevchet - 2007 CD

Disclaimer:

If you know the owners of this content, please contact The Balkan Hour. We are more than happy to remove links upon request. We also would happily post links for CD sales, future concerts or general information. The music here is meant to inform and to altruistically create a larger market for the music. 

Внимание:

Ако знаете, собствениците на тази музика, моля свържете се с Балкан час. Ние също така ще бъде щастливо да публикувате връзки за CD продажби, бъдещи концерти или обща информация. Музиката тук има цел да информира и да създаде по-голям пазар за музика.

Great World Music Website: NoNaMe from Russia

NoNaMe - World Music

The name may not be the clearest and the Russian may be a little daunting to non-cyrillic speakers, but NoNaMe and its world music website has some of the most eclectic world music I've seen on the Internet. The site seems to have a special love for Balkan music while still having selections from around the world.

You have to register which is just a simple login, email, password and password confirmation. To non-cyrillic speakers, you have to click the " регистрация" in order to get the registration page. Or you can just click here to register.  I know, its daunting at first but all the posts are in english and its pretty easy to navigate

Here is just a quick list of the quality Balkan Music I've found on the website:

• Ferus is Cooking - Macedonian Wedding Music
• Rembetiko - Greek Folk Music
• Guca Festival - Live recordings from the Guca Festival in Serbia
• Sevdah Selection - Bosnian folk music (with Roma influences)
• !DelapDap - Fusion Roma Music (Featured on Balkan Beats)
• Gogol Bordello - Live Bootleg at Bonnaroo
• And many more!

There are 92 pages of music, at roughly 15 posts each. . . makes almost 1400 entries of fully downloadable music with reviews, commentary and history of each artist. This is definitely a great resource for those wanting to learn more about Balkan Music and World Music in general.

Enjoy!

Where's the music at? Why one view can't encompass a whole region; but can try

Recently, I've received some well founded criticisms of my approach to what I define as Balkan and Bulgarian music. Here is what one reader had to say:

I strongly disagree with any presentation of Bulgaria that concentrates on chalga. Although, this is the most popular "music" right now, it is the last thing I would like people to associate my country with.

We do have a lot of world renowned musicians and singers; this is an offense to them, at the very least. You can check out The Mystery of the Bulgarian Voices, Theodosii Spasov, Raina Kabaivanska...and so many more...

The Argument:

To some degree, music defines a culture. So the possibillty of my characterizations culturally offensive

---The Mystery of the Bulgarian Voices; Where are they?

I always appreciate comments and suggestions; I have to agree that I have not addressed the topic of Bulgarian Folk music as much as I would have liked. And it has been rightly pointed out, I plan to talk about musicians such as The Mystery of the Bulgarian Voices. I haven't wrote about them mostly because my interests have been elsewhere and there already exists a large body of work on the internet about their singing.

Chalga or Pop Folk; Is it Bulgarian or Balkan Culture? Yeck, I know . . .

I feel that Chalga (info) is a part of Bulgaria's culture just as much as American Hip-hop is to America's culture. It may not be the most positive representation in some person's eyes but it is an aspect of Bulgaria's cultural sphere. One of the reasons I write about it is that not many people in America know about Chalga nor do they understand the interesting mixes and borrowing of culture.

Why don't you talk about this artist? (Insert your preference)

Odds are, I've never heard of the artist or group. Or, I've heard of them but have been too lazy to talk about them. Regardless, if you feel that there is a form of music that is missing a voice, be sure to email me through my profile with your contributions and suggestions. Also, please remember that I'm an amateur that sees this more as a hobby than a definer of culture, music or nationality.

++++----++++

That said, enjoy the blog and definitely remember that this is just one viewpoint out of many so be sure to look into other sources as well.

11/26 Radio Playlist and Cheat Sheet!

Typsy Gypsy

Typsy Gypsy is a member of the Balkan Hotsteppers from Belgium. They have been experimenting with Balkan music for club music. Seriously check out his Myspace. He's got a lot of great mashups that really allow people to start understanding the Balkan sound.

Track: Mashup with Intergalatic (Beastie Boys) Download the Podcast!





J.U.F stands for Jewish Urkranian Freundschaft or Friendship

Track: Muskat (Slishal, No e Zapisal)

5:33 min.

J.U.F. i s a creation of Eugene Hutz (Gogol Bordello) and Tamir Muskat.

Boban Markovic Orkestar 

Boban Markovic is a famous Roma or Gypsy from Serbia. He and his Orkestar are generally recognized as the most accomplished Brass Band from the Balkans. His is also the winner of of the Golden Trumpet from the world famous Gucha Festival in Serbia

Track: Mundo Cocek (pronounced Cho -chek) is from the Boban and Marko album

3:13

<========= Break for station identification =======>

Gypsy Sound System

Based out of Switzerland, the Gypsy Sound System has been mixing music for clubs over the past two years throughout the world.

Track: Gypsy Sound System


4:35


Balkan Beat Box - Bulgarian Chicks

The Balkan Beat Box are probably the more well known DJs working with Balkan music. The Bulgarian Chicks song is a combination of Bulgarian folk singers with Serbian or Balkan brass music.

Max PASHM

Max Pashm is a collective of U.K based Jewish, Greek & Balkan musicians that make dance music. They are based out of England.

Track: Queen of Sikim

3:09 Min.

<========= Break for station identification =======>

Desislava

Desislava is a Chalga singer from Bulgaria and its fun to see Latina music and Balkan music mergred.

Track: Regeton and a Little Chalga

3:30

Ionut Cercel

Ionut is an young Roma singer from Romania. He is in his early teens and is taking the Romanian club scene by storm.

Track: Made in Romania

4:00

<========= Break for station identification =======>

Giorgos Tsalikis

Greek Musician with Laiko music.

Track: Ekana Ti Nexta Mera

4:00

Djordan

Track: Ne boli (No hurt or It doesn't hurt)

3:49

Orkestar Kristali

This Orkestar is probably the best Roma Wedding Orkestar in Bulgaria. They play Roma music with Bulgarian influences. To those familiar with Balkan music, it may sound Turkish in origin. 

Track: Purjina (kokaina), "Fried Cocaine" 

Aliosha 

Aliosha and his band play that live instrumental at a wedding in Bulgaria. Known for his saxophone skills, Aliosha alway is an excellent singer. He style would also be considered Roma Wedding music or sometimes referred to as Bulgarian Wedding music.

The track is unlabeled because its live.

<========= Break for station identification =======>

Boril Iliev

Boril is another Roma musican with the Red Bull orkestar from Bulgaria that play Roma Wedding music.

Track: Akana (meaning now)

5:00

Ramzi Kuchek

Just a simple for dancing Kuchek or Belly dancing

Track: Ramzi Kuchek

3:30

Verka Serduchka

Ukrainian Drag Queen 

Track: Gop,  Gop! Jump, Jump!

4:00

Georgi Chi - lin - gi -rov

Track: Roufinka Bolna Legnala

7:00

<========= Break for station identification =======>

Valia Balkanska

Track: Izlel e Delio haidutin

4:00

Trio Bulgarka

Famous folk ensemble from Bulgaria, known for its vocal haromonization. It would be considered traditional folk music.

Track: Sluntseto Trepti Zauda (The sun is setting)

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.

The Balkan Hour | Radio Show Trial Run | 88.1 WRFL Lexington

Last Monday, I finished my training with WRFL 88.1 Lexington to be a Radio DJ. WRFL is the local student radio of University of Kentucky and has a strong history of supporting alternative programming for central Kentucky. Hopefully, I'll be able to play music from the Balkans with WRFL to create a better awareness for the region and to promote artists from the Balkans. This is me on the WRFL website: The Balkan Hour DJ

Anyway, the trial run was great fun and full of freshman mistakes. I'll get the hang of the sound board and other techical details as I practice. Generally, I'm content with the trial run. I would like to have more historical context with better descriptions of each artist or style, some that the Oberlin podcast/radio show is a great example. But I suppose that will come with time.

Please be aware that the beginning and end of the audio are of other radio shows because the .mp3 is archived per hour and not by user. I'll look into sound editing to clean it up. So, keep listening past the first couple of seconds!

Enjoy!




.mp3 Download of the Balkan Hour - Trial Run from WRFL 88.1 Great For Ipods!

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!

A Chalga Timeline

My previous post about chalga was rather wordy but it wasn't very descriptive with visual or audio (which frankly is the only way you can really discuss Chalga in Bulgaria). So I'm going to start (a long) process of creating a Chalga Timeline so people can see the changes it made throughout time.

1950-70s: Kafana Music (Cafe Music) or Chalga Music (Older interpretation, "to play")

Silvana Armenulic '76 - Noca mi srce pati

Kafana Music is even tied with the Romani Hymn, Djelem Djelem which was recorded for the 1967 film: I Have Met Happy Gypies (previous post) .



Kafana Music or what would be considered Chalga music in Bulgaria (played at bars, social events, popular among the common masses) then starts a transition from entertaining drunks a bars to something that Serbians have classified as Neo-Folk (meaning new folk). If you listen to the music, they bare striking resemblance to traditional folk songs but are more western/ballad sounding. Kafana music exists today in cafes and bars but I'll classify Kafana music (and Chalga music, at bars and social events in this form) around 1950s-1970s because Serbian media repeatedly used the cultural motif in films.

Neo-folk Transitions | Bringing in the West


Lepa Lukic - Od izvora dva putica

This video was filmed in Paris so its pretty obvious to see how there might be a connection between Serbia Neo-Folk music and Western Culture. Not only is she literally in Paris, something that would have been difficult for a singer from what was a communist state like Bulgaria, but you can also see where the Serbian singer is placing emphasis on as a cultural icon. This music isn't very much different from the Kafana music. Its slightly more refined and tuned (professionally recorded, music videos in Paris) and is commercially more accessible.


The Changes, circa 1989 | Post- Communist "Democracy" and the Mafia




Sani - Oh, Banana
This song is a loosely veiled metaphor for fellatio. It is consider old chalga and while the music video was conservative the sexual innuendo was too much for the more older Bulgarian population. There is a definite change between Neo-Folk and Chalga. Its cruder and has the influence of western pop. The lyrics are catchier and rhythm is easier for dancing. Some people might even define it as Turbo-Folk (faster beat). This song would have been inconceivable during communist times. Its a testiment to the lack of laws and also the Mutra culture of the 1990s in Bulgaria. Mutra are the underings of the Mafia; having thick necks, black wearing and gold chains. The Mutra backed and attended night clubs liked this new irreverent music. Just check out the lyrics (rough translation made for the sake of time, plus it seemed awkward to ask a Bulgarian for a exact translation):

Kef mi stana shtom go hvava oh banana, ah banana kolko e sladuk i laduk, luskav i gladuk, leko izvit e i strahovid

I become happy when I grab it; oh banana ah banana; How sweet, shiny, smooth, and gently curved . . .

The Clean-up (from the Mafia) and the Commercialization of Chalga



Desislava Nakoi Den | Someday

As you can see, much more commercialized and standardized. Its a R&B ballad. Also notice that while the lyrics are more poetic and intelligent, Desislava is clothed in much less than Sani was in her Banana video. Now, its pretty much required for a Chalga singer to bare her body and be sexually attractive; its part of her selling point. Think: Brittany Spears, Mariah Carey, and other western women pop music singers.

Anyway, this by no means completely describes the Chalga discussion. I hope that is starts to give you a glimpse of the changes and to make it easier for you to understand the cultural context of the genre Chalga. In Bulgaria, Chalga in its current form isn't really remotely similar to what was Chalga 50 to 70 years ago. But somehow the word "Chalga" carried over. I personally think this has to do with both types of music being associated with the masses and it also being a mixture of many influences. Granted, there are direct influences from both Turkish and Roma culture in Chalga. Roma musicians play both "old Chalga" and "new Chalga" but I think its premature to say Roma musicians were the common linkage. This is partly because of steretyping and I'm not sure if its historically accurate.

Another thing to consider is the mixture of Serbian and Bulgarian influences. I've sort of mixed to two to describe Chalga. But it is important to know that Chalga (in its current form) and Chalga (in its old form) developed differently and weren't directly linked. Also, there was an explosion of Chalga like music after "The Changes" (fall of the Communist government for Bulgaria) all across Soviet Block states including Poland, Croatia, Macedonia and Romania. Plus Greece has adopted the Chalga form of pop music as well. I haven't really addressed this either, but I hope to in the future.

Chalga; Working Backward to America (Azis, DJ Suat, Chris Brown)

Okay, enjoy this short post about how Balkan pop music influenced by American pop and then also how they influence each other.

Watch this first video, it should sound somewhat familar:
Azis - Dai Me Led (Give Me Ice)



DJ Suat - Gimme That - Tallava Remix (Albanian Style)


Ummmm, that form of dancing is called Kuchek or Cocek which is common throughout the Balkans. And I'm going to talk about that another time. Just listen to the music. It's DJ Saut's original video that he/she posted.


Chris Brown featuring Lil' Wayne - Gimme That Remix featuring Lil' Wayne


So, now do you recognize the song and the original Western influence? This is an excellent example of Chalga and how it works. Chris Brown creates a relatively popular song, a DJ remixes it in some form to Balkanize its sound (notice the drums, tupani, in the second video) and then a famous Chalga singer "collaborates" with the DJ and/or original artist and rewrites the lyrics into Bulgarian keeping the same sound (Azis saying "Give me Ice" in Bulgarian not "Gimme That" in English). Its like a microcosm of globalization right there. Except a decent portion of Bulgarians never realize that the song Azis made is lifted from a DJ (Balkanized Sound) and an original western artist.

But its not like western artists don't make remixes either. Current remixes of the Chris Brown song:

• "Gimme Dat" Remix The Game Ft. Chris Brown
• Chris Brown - Video Remix

Chalga | Balkan Culture Vocabulary Clarification

Chalga is a Bulgarian word for a Balkan Phenomenon:

I just wanted to quickly clarify that Chalga is the Bulgarian term for similar pop music throughout the Balkans. Chalga can sometimes be called

• Manele (Romania),
• Pop-Folk (Bulgaria),
• Laïka (Greece),
• Turbo-Folk (Serbian, Croatian, Bosnian)
• And other names in other countries but I don't want to spread my definition too thin.

Generally, the genres are very similar: Women in minimal amounts of clothes, simple lyrics at appeal to a large mass and music influences all over the world. So when referring to Chalga one must make a distinction between popular "Chalga" or Pop Folk and more traditional Chalga music from the past (wedding music, roma music).

I hope to give some more examples of Chalga or Pop Folk later on this month in the Daily Dose . I just don't want to confuse the music too much.

What is Chalga? Starting the Cultural and Historical Discussion

I've been hesitant to dive into the confusing world of Chalga and Bulgarian Pop music because frankly its difficult to understand from a cultural and historical standpoint. Mostly Bulgarians would laugh at a statement like that because most deem Chalga as racy, crude and unintelligent; and certainly not worth discussing much less associating it with Bulgarian or Balkan Culture. Chalga, however, offers a great lens into Bulgarian culture and society; it may not be the self-proclaimed emblem of Bulgarian musical excellence but neither is Brittany Spears in America. Brittany, and all of the Mickey Mouse Club Gang, do however shape American culture; just like Chalga shapes Bulgaria (except we've got that confusing thing of nationalism in Bulgaria). I've decided to break up my discussion of Chalga in pieces and I'll be adding to it as i go. Just click the Chalga tag to get all the posts on Chalga.

Okay, let's Start at the Beginning: The Word "CHALGA"

Chalga is rooted from the Turkish word çalgı (chalgi) which means instrument. Chalga is a universal word throughout the Balkans but is most commonly used in Serbia, Macedonian and Bulgaria to describe Bulgarian Pop music. Even though it's a Turkish word, it sometimes it is loosely translated as "to play" or "to play an instrument" within the Bulgarian context. Other Turkish words solidify linguistic connection; çalgıcı (chalgisi) is Turkish for musician. The current embodiment of Chalga doesn't really represent the historical reality of what was Chalga during the Ottoman Empire. While the word is has origins in Turkey and Turkish culture, Chalga in Bulgaria is considered a type of Pop music that mixes everything from reggeaton to Arabic influences with a heavy slathering of Bulgarian, Greek and Turkish folk music.

So its not Turkish, but its from a Turkish word? . . . Not exactly

Chalga means to play in Turkish and it originates from the demand during parties and weddings for musicians, who where historically roma, to play music for the guests during the Ottoman Empire over 100 years ago. Much like any wedding (picture your typical American wedding with the symphony music along with the country music and the romantic R&B songs), these musicians had to be able to play many different styles of music and often switch styles with every song. Because there was such a demand for live music, these musicians often were paid well and were able to survive during the Ottoman Empire (and then later when Bulgaria re-became at a country; I'm not sure how to describe that). Additionally, the musicians were playing live continuously and often times with different band members; this caused the musicians to become adept and creative musicians and often playing off of each other. To increase their earnings and to standout from other musicians, the musicians would start to embellish and modify the songs. Someone who was able to play many types of music and skillfully improvise songs were called chalgadzhia (again rooted in the Turkish word musician, chalgasi). The roots of Chalga came from the Ottoman Empire but slowly changed throughout the years as Bulgarian and the Balkans gained political and social independence from the fallen empire.

A Time-line would look something like this:

1. Ottoman Empire - Chalga music is used predominately as entertainment, blending Turkish and other folk music from conquered countries for weddings, funerals, public events, etc.
   
2. Republic of Bulgaria Disowns Chalga Music - As a newly formed political state, Bulgaria strives to create a national identity and distances itself from the Turkish laced Chalga music by creating Bulgarian Folk Music ensembles like Le Mystère des Voix Bulgares and the work of Philip Koutev. This happens roughly in the 1950s.
3. Serbia Accepts Chalga with Open Arms (1960s-1980s, roughly) - Historically a more open member of Soviet Block--even granting passports and visas to western countries--Serbia was more open to Chalga music and it fostered there during the height of the communist era. It makes a slow transition to something more like Pop/R&B music, heavily influences by western pop music.
   
4. The Changes circa 1989 - Bulgaria becomes a democratic republic and all laws and morals for human decency go out the window; so Chalga comes back to Bulgaria in a crude, rough form. Mostly found in night clubs and other places of ill repute and tied with the Mafia (nightclubs, music, lack of moral decency, etc.).
   
5. Chalga Makes Money, Cleans up and learns Marketing- Chalga music becomes more professionalized through the selling of discs, music videos and professionally edited tracks. It cleans up its crime laden image but not its scantily clad women singers or lyrics. Every TV in Bulgaria has about 3-4 channels that some form of Chalga music through music videos and concerts; live concerts become popular with children and youth. Now all the youth of Bulgaria (starting ages 6 or so) start liking (and buying) chalga music. Chalga music becomes a form of simple, danceable pop music with simple lyrics and musical influences from all over the world (borrowed as they say, but sometimes directly lifting from other songs). Most intellectual Bulgarians are driven crazy by the ignorance of the simple-minded masses and repeatedly claim that it isn't Bulgarian cultural. Let the cultural wars begin.
   

"Chalga" and "Pop Folk"

What might have been termed "Chalga" during communist times certainly isn't what most people label as chalga now in Bulgaria, Serbia, Macedonia and other Balkan states. Chalga as a music form has changed into a commercialized form of Pop music. To help appeal to a large market (my guess), the marketing gurus of Chalga renamed Chalga music (in its pop music form) it "Pop Folk". This de-ethnicized the music from its Roma and Turkish roots into something that could appeal to most Bulgarians. Folk music is something all Bulgarians grow up with, so renaming the pop music to "Pop Folk" made the music familiar. This is something similar to Country-Pop and Faith Hill would be a good example.

From Ottoman Emipre Chalga to Preslava; Where did it make the jump?

In my limited research on the subject, I've yet to discover how exactly Chalga music made the cross over from live music played at social events (rooted from Turkish meaning of "musicians that just play") to our current form of pop music in Bulgaria and the Balkans. As far as I can tell, the only associations I can find between the two is really the name "Chalga" and that the music was popular with the masses. There are musicial influences from Turkish and Roma music in Chalga, but there are also influences from western rap and hip-hop too.So, I'm hesitant to claim that that is the common linkage. Possibly it was the Serbian (and European) influences. Regardless, I find it interesting how the term "Chalga" has stayed in the Bulgarian and Balkan culture, irrevently reminding Bulgarians of the Ottoman Empire, shocking cultured Bulgarians for its crudeness and giving dance music to teenagers across the Balkans.

Dale Dale | Reggaeton Meets Bulgaria

Orkestar Yanitsa; "Dale Dale"



Alright, play this song. This is a song that I've heard multiple times in at Roma weddings or other events with live music. Its catchy, danceable and got a refrain. But think for a second, does this song bear any resemblance to any other song you might have heard in the past couple of years?

I haven't lived in America for over two years, so I really can't speak to the popularity of Reggaeton in America now. However, I can say that this latin fusion has migrated to Bulgaria. Chalga songs (Balkan pop, sort of) bear likeliness to this simplistic and danceable genre of music. But probably my biggest shock was when I was randomly listening to Raggaeton music on YouTube (Why not?) this guy named Don Omar was singing a Roma song I'd heard before; Except that the beat and melody was all wrong. Confused as to why a Latin hip-hop star would be using Romani music in his reggaeton hit "Dale Don Dale", I started looking for the Bulgarian version. And low and behold, I found this clip of Orkestar Yanitsa doing a cover of Don Omar's reggaeton hit.

Let That Be a Lesson . . .

I initially had got the relationship of influences wrong; thinking the reggaeton star had copied off a Roma band. This partially had to do with the fact that I don't understand Spanish or Romani. Additionally, its a great lesson of how we, as westerners, have the penchant to "Romanize" everything and precariously look for cultural links that sometimes aren't there. Examples of this are categorizing something "Roma" because they are Romani musicians (but are actually playing Raggaeton Covers, or Bulgarian Folk Music). Its just something to think about and ponder.

Here's the real song, enjoy the comparison.

Don Omar: "Dale Don Dale"

ChalgaTube | Streaming Balkan Music (and its categorized!)

Instead of randomly floating through the the related videos of YouTube, ChalgaTube speeds up the process of exploration for new music by its categorized and pre-selected favorites. The sites in english but rough around the edges. Use it as a way to continue your search for music. I personally recommend The Romani Music selection. These are really good examples of Romani Music in Bulgaria and are a good resource for someone want to expand their knowledge past Serbian and Romanian Romani styles of music.

ChalgaTube's Music Breakdown, for your listening pleasure:

• Romani Music (mostly Bulgarian style, some great Wedding Music Clips)
• Chalga / Pop Folk
  
• Serbian
• Turkish
• Greek
• Retro Folk Pop (Older Chalga)
  

Black Sea Disco Music

Its August and all Bulgarians are feeling a primal urge to take their yearly trek to the Black Sea for a tan, drinking, dancing and--with luck-- love (or something equivalent). For most Americans, it could be explained as a cross between spring break and the family vacation to the beach. Partially stemming from the communist times of when each family was entitled two weeks at the Black Sea at the communist hotels, this tradition has carried on as a national pilgrimage. The train seats are oversold and people sleep in the corridors, special bus routes specifically for the Black Sea tourist beaches, and everything is more expensive (but still insanely cheap for Americans and Europeans).

So, without further ado, here is the Black Sea Club Mix. Most of this music would be considered "Chalga" in Bulgaria which is comparable to American pop through its mixture of many different styles and genres to create Balkan pop music. This is the music that a majority of Bulgarian youth listen to and is standard at most clubs at the Black Sea.

Muxtape is currently being harrassed by the RIAA so I won't be able to put the music in Muxtape form. I'm going to just post them as YouTube clips.

Ustata - Male Male



Galena feat. Expose - Nishto Obshto

(Nothing in Common)



Preslava - Novata Ti (Video Mix)

(Your New Girlfriend)



Boris Dali- Centar na kupona

(Center of the Party)



Azis - Dai mi led (Give me ice)