I've found another Balkanization force in Europe called the Eastern Express which is based out of Sweden. The Blog just started but they look like they've been around for a while.
Dually based out of Stockholm and Uppsala, the club organizes concerts, film viewings and events. They even have a mini-bus that travel between the two cities for members to connect even easier (and cheaper).
Here are the listed goals of the Eastern Express:
We organise monthly movie projections in Uppsala - check the program
We organise concerts in Uppsala and Stockholm - check the program
We inform about events related to eastern europe culture ongoing in Uppsala and Stockholm area.
The people organizing the events really seem to understand the european scene and its influences. Just check out some of the bands they follow, promote and work with on their blog. Instead of just being a promoter or a band, the organization really seems like its greater goal is the promotion of Eastern Culture and the celebration of a fun and unique part of the world.
Membership is around $12, which is nothing and gives you access to movies and the minibus transportation. If you live in Sweden, definitely check out what these guys are up to.
From Prune, one of the members of Eastern Express:
thanks for putting us up on your blog ! we are actually open to any kind of easterneurope culture, ranging from traditionnal folk to punk music. We like diversity ! We started only last july, and since then we have received a lot of positive responses - we are building up collaborations with different concert places, one of us is taking a projectionnist course to be able to carry our monthly movie projections in a real movie theater.
We are just laking money, but hopefully this will come at some point...
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:
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.
Balkan Beat IT (which stands for Italy) has resumed posts after the previous web address was hacked and all the content was taken down. After a brief repose, Balkan Beat IT is back in all of its glory. Self-described as an Urban Gypsy Music Magazine, the format utilizes wordpress by making categories of Balkan Parties, Balkan Mixes and Balkan TV (videos).
I'm going to link to one of my favorite posts that gives the Top 10 Myspace Pages for Balkan Beats. Its amazing research and really gives the reader a feel for the organic Balkan Beats movement going on in Europe right now. So here is an example the great things from the Balkan Beat It magazine
DJ Hat has been mixing Balkan beats in the Italian club scene (I believe Milan) and last year started the online magazine to help document the Balkan Culture scene. Here is the latest come from DJ Hat. You can find all of the DJ Hat's mixes on Balkan Beat It Mix Page.Here is DJ Hat's latest mix called
On WRFL 88.1 Lexington, I've played some of DJ Hat's work and I plan to continue in the the future. So, check out the site and constant posts, videos and interviews. Definitely a keeper.
LjubinkaJokic is originally from Bosina but currently lives in Vienna, Austria. She worked at a local renownedCevapčićishop called Pomali Grill in Vienna, Austria. Mapped Here tsevapchichi (Cevapčići) are like minature sausages are distinct to Bosnian/Serbian cuisines but have similarities to Chepapche (Bulgaria) and others throughout the Balkans.
Her sound is an amazing mix of traditional Bosnian/Yugoslavian songs with Roma anthems/themes while still playing a the guitar masterfully. Definitely a great fusion of influences. As I listen to her jam, I can recognize the songs she's pulling from just as she personalizes it as her on with a wailing guitar or overpowering voice.
I honestly don't know much about about her apart than what Bill Santen has directed to me. From my hap-hazard research, she seems like a great emerging artist reinventing the Balkan feel once again. Enjoy the live music recordings below and the Myspace samples-- they are great.
This a video recording by Bill Santenof Kentucky. He had the opportunity to record some live music with LjubinkaJokic. Thanks for sharing the video and the recommendation. Check out his page for more about this
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.
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
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.
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.
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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!
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!
As part of Oberlin's Ethnomusicology course about Balkan Music, Oberlin College and Community Radio ( 95.1 ) has created a radio about Balkan music. I've listed the first installment of the Radio show here. Fittingly, they begin with Turkish Folk music which basically influences everything in the Balkans. There are explainations of instraments, music theory and culture. It deals mostly with Turkish folk and Classic music. So sit back and enjoy.
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.
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
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.
Here is a solo performance of Amza Tiroif. Some things of note about Amza:
He's a one man band that compliments other musicians or can go alone
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.
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.
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.
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:
CORRECTED (Thanks Damian for the Sharp Ear, #9 Djan Sever Mislabel as Sofia Marinova)
I've added some more music to my growing playlist/radio. Here is a break down of the new artists:
Karandila Orkestar | Krasi and Ronny - Roma Brass Band based in Sliven, they have toured internationally
Galena & Ustata | Strast na Kristali - This is Black Sea themed Chalga (I mentioned it before). Both singers teamed up for this particular song but don't always work together. Its popular in night clubs and bars.
Ustata | Pustono Ludo and Mlado (The Young and Crazy Wilderness, loosely translated)- on his own. The instrument is a gaida or a Bulgrian bagpipe. Its frequently played in night clubs also. It would be classified as Chalga.
Orkestar Kristali | Unnamed - This is a live recording of Orkestar Band playing, probably at a wedding or festival. This would be considered Roma music in Bulgaria. Notice the differences in tempo and style from Chalga and the usuage of the Romani language.
Orkestar Kristali | Ti si samo osimi klas (You have only graduated 8th Grade) A Romani ballad from the same Orkestar.
Sali Bend | Unnamed - Another live recording of a Romani Orkestar. This would be heard at a wedding or a social occasion. One of the better Romani Orkestars in Bulgaria.
Cita (Cheetah) - Le Le Tuke Gilavav - Macedonian Roma musician with another example of a live recording at a social event. Also considered one of the better Roma musicans in the region.
Sofi Marinova | Onzi Fatalen Den (That Fateful Day) - This is a Roma singer that has been able to switch between Chalga music and traditional romani music rather easily. This would would be considered Chalga, but notice how the tempo is slower and more professionally constructed.
Djan Sever | Sa Ka Dav - I accidently added an incorrectly labeled song to the playlist. It's labeled Sofi Marinova but its actually Djan Sever who is a woman Romani/Turkish singer. This song is sung in a mixture of Turkish and Roma. This music would be considered Roma music. Referenced here with live music and mislabeled here with the commentary discussion here proving the mislabeling. I plan to reload the song, correctly labeled, soon. Here's the old post I had: Sofia Marinova | Placheto Surce (The Crying Heart, loosely translated) This song is sung in Romani and would be considered Roma music in Bulgaria. However, notice that her style didn't change, just languages. Its a great example of how she floats between both Bulgarian pop music and Romani music worlds.
Orkestar Kocani | Sika Sika Baba - This Macedonian Romani brass orkestar is somewhat famous for this song. Zach Condon of Beirut has also started playing this song in his set as well. Its originally a Turkish song (I'll post it later) but it has been stylized by the brass band.
Orkestar Kocani | Mi Bori Sa Korani - The word Kocani is pronounced Kochani, and is the city from which the Orkestar is from. This is another example of Roma brass music.
Orkestar Karandila | Lechkov Kuchek - Orkestar Karandila is a Roma Brass band from Sliven, Bulgaria. Most Roma in Bulgaria don't really listen to this type of must but Karandila has had a lot of success internationally. This "Kuchek" or "Cocek" in Serbian is a different tempo and style than most Kuchek music in Bulgaria.
Ustata | Male Male - I mentioned this song from Ustata in my Black Sea themed chalga post.
Toshko Todorov | Radka Piratka (Radka the Firecracker) Great example of early Chalga (1994-96) as it transitioned into something more commercially viable. Great beat, gaudy lyrics and infectious.
Rado Shisharkata and Popi | Tigre, Tigre (Tiger, Tiger) - This also is another reference to earlier mid 1990s Chalga. It also loosely plays off what was the "mutra" culture at the time in Bulgaria. Mutra or Mutri (plural) are thick necked mafia underlings that sport lots of gold.
Rado Shisharkata | Shopska Salata (Shopska Salad) Another example of early Chalga with simple lyrics and a simple beat; mid 1990s. He's saying "I love shopska salad" when he drinks and has pretty girls around him.
Sani | Oh, Banana - Probably one of the best example of the raciness of early Chalga and how it unsettled the Bulgarian cultural elite. She's singing about how happy she becomes in eating a banana (sexual innuendo anyone?). And in in the music video she's shown eating the banana provocatively on the video. mid 1990s.
The Balkan Hour "Radio" that is displayed above all posts on this blog (powered by Imeem.com)) has some new additions this month.
Separately embedded for your listening pleasure:
To make sure these additions don't get lost in the Balkan Hour (about 40 tracks now), I've decided I'm going to introduce the songs. I've selected these songs because I either personally like them, they are popular in the Balkans/Bulgaria or they represent a certain genre that is important to be aware of when talking about Balkan music.
So here are the new Additions:
Po Poleka Baby - Sofi Marinova & Larenco | Definitely a hit with the kids in Bulgaria, something of a chalga / kuchek combination, would be considered Roma music
Pare Pare - Sevchet | "Money, Money", this Macedonian born Romani rapper/singer is mixing Romani and Macedonain/Bulgarian lyrics together in the same sentences. Another hit with youth in Bulgaria. Its consider Romani music, partially because of the Romani lyrics and the kuchek undertones of the song.
Zaide Zaide Qsno Slunce - Nikolina Charkardakova | A great Bulgarian/Macedonian song with wonderful lyrics and a beautiful voice. Both countries claim this song, so you can file it into the "ambigious origins" folder because it just to complicated for me to know. Its a Bulgarian Folk song that music bulgarians have heard.
Instramental - Orkestar Kristali & Aliosha | These guys are great examples of Roma music in Bulgaria. Its a pretty large departure from the Brass bands of Serbia and violins of Romania. Now imagine the band playing like this for about six hours and that will give you a picture of a Roma Wedding.
Godzilla - Orkestar Kristali & Aliosha | More for Orkestar Kristali (one of the more well known Romani bands in Bulgaria) and Aliosha (who's singing and clarinet skills are reknowned in the Romani communities in Bulgaria)
Vodka s Koka Kola - Orkestar Kristali | Again, Orkestar Kristali, but notice the slight change in style with more lyrics and a refrain. Its a simple beat with simple lyrics meant for parties. He's saying "I drink vodka with Coke Cola". Again a big hit with the Roma youth here.
Dosta Pare, Dosta Zlato - Rejo | From Petrich Bulgaria, Rejo is a local favorite in the Macedonian region of Bulgaria. This is more famous song. Not as famous as the other Romani musicians but still good. I've seen him live twice and he is low-key and great singer.
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.
For anyone that has listened to a lot of live Romani music from Bulgaria (and other parts of the Balkans), probably the fist thing one notices is the lack of large bands and the prevalence of the synthesizers. So, what's the deal with the synthesizers and Bulgarian Romani Music? Well, simply put, its about money. Some of the best bands in the Balkans, such as Taraf de Haidouks and the Kocani Orkestar, have huge bands with around 10 people. For the most part, Roma musicians in Bulgaria make money from live performances and actually aren't musicians full time. They do construction work on the side or seasonal migrant work in Europe. So this leaves them with weddings, birthdays, christenings and festivals as stable forms of income as musicians. Please, if you can, put the image of the Wedding Singer in your mind with Adam Sandler.
These gigs pay at a flat rate and musicians can charge anywhere from 300 t0 2000 dollars. These are great prices for one day of work but this all depends on the number of musicians and the distance required to travel to play.
An Little Economic Analysis (without econometrics):
For every new member of the band, that new member improves the quality of the band marginally less. This Diminishing Margin of return (I knew those words would come in handy some day!) for wedding music helps explain first why most bands are smaller and also why people have started using synthesizers. One person can play the saxophone, keyboard, clarinet, brass and steel guitar all at the same time. And he only needs to learn how to play the piano/keyboard to master all of these instruments. So, why would someone make a huge band when they could have a smaller band and collect more money? Its pretty logical. Of course, there is a point where the quality of the music (supposedly shown by more musicians that have more specific specializations: saxophone, clarinet, guitar, etc.) out weighs the economy of less players but I don't really know where the line is in Bulgaria. Obviously in America, this line of economy versus quality is rather low; basically anyone that is touring professionally and has a large record deal doesn't have to worry about such considerations.
It has become interesting because most Americans would look down upon a person "playing" the clarinet or saxophone through a synthesizers but most Bulgarian and Romani see this as a legitimate talent and like the sound/style. Now, someone that is capable of playing a synthesizer is in great demand, not only as part of a band but also for music events from large fanbases. The synthesizers, I would say, is the the base of almost all Romani and Bulgarian Folk Music bands in Bulgaria (doing live events on a regular bases, not necessarily for records).
But its Got to be Live:
Most Americans are comfortable with the Walkman and then Ipod society that emphasizes higher quality playback over live music. For whatever reason, live music is in greater demand in Bulgaria than playing back music from CDs or Mp3s. Possibly this has something to do with the relative cheapness of the musicians; costing as a minimum about 15% ($40) for small celebration to about a month's salary $300. It could also be cultural. Especially for Romani events, live music is probably the most important aspect. But cultural preference between live and DJ'd music is hard to determine, so its just something to think about.
One interesting question is whether the synthesizer was introduced first as a economical solution or as a stylistic modification. I've noticed that some bands, even though they are some of the most famous in Bulgaria, still choose utilize the synthesizer as a focal point (giving solos and keeping the melody in some cases). What would have been solos by musicians playing a clarinet or saxophone is now dominated by synthesizer solos.
Perhaps Balkan People have less qualms about the introduction and usage of new music mediums to their repertoire? I'm not sure. If you ask most Bulgarians (including romani Bulgarians) there are traditional instruments and only those instruments can play Bulgarian folk music; but somehow the synthesizer has slipped into this also. All I know is synthesizers are here to stay in Bulgaria and they play both economical and musical roles in the live bands in Bulgara. For those of you that have seen a lot of YouTube Clips, start watching for the synthesizers; they are almost always there.
Here are some good examples of the synthesizer:
Amza & Cita (Cheetah) (Filmed in Macedonia)
Orkestar Kristali
One of the most famous Romani bands in Bulgaria, yet they choose to keep the synthesizer at part of the band; playing a leading role. This, ironically, was shot at a political campaign event for NDCB which is the political party of the son of the last Bulgarian King.
Orkestar Univers, 2008
Ork.Pit Bull & Malkia Boril
The is just sampling of the different bands. Notice that the synthesizer can be the whole band (Amza and Cita) or can just be the backbone of the band (Kristali, Univers). Anyway, its interesting to think about.
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)
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
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