Record Reviews
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  | SARAKINA ~ BALKANTRON
AMADEUS 008 (Barcode: 5907467786162) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-World Fusion
Recorded: 2017 Released: 2017
This is the 6th album by Polish Jazz-World Music ensemble SarakinaFind albums by this artist, led by accordionist / composer Jacek GrekowFind albums by this artist, which also includes clarinetist Jan MlejnekFind albums by this artist, bassist Mateusz BielskiFind albums by this artist, percussionist Krzysztof OstaszFind albums by this artist and vocalist Anna KlebusFind albums by this artist. Bulgarian gadulka (traditional Bulgarian bowed string instrument) player Peyo PeevFind albums by this artist appears as a guest artist. The album presents nine pieces, six of which are original compositions by Grekow and three are traditional Bulgarian Folk pieces arranged by him.
The ensemble specializes in Balkan inspirations, with an emphasis on Bulgarian music on this album, obvious both by the choice of the material and the participation of Peev, whose virtuosic gadulka parts infuse the entire project with a strong authenticity. The album is full of deeply melancholic Bulgarian songs and jumpy up-tempo twist and turns, all weaved into the quite unusual for Western ears odd meters.
The completely acoustic sound of the music, which was excellently recorded at the Preisner Studio, is crystal clear and enables the listener to enjoy every single note being played. In its character Balkan music is very close to Middle Eastern music, especially in its modulation, which is not surprising considering the fact that the Balkans was part of the Ottoman Empire for hundreds of years and the Turkish influences were deeply absorbed within its cultural fabric. Although pretty distanced from the strict Jazz improvisations, this music offers enough of improvisational spirit to be embraced as a Jazz-World Music without any reservations.
Overall this is a delightful album, full of a peculiar mixture of joy and sadness, which is characteristic of Balkan music. All the performances are highly professional and inspired and of course Peev adds a virtuosic layer to the proceedings. Lovers of Balkan music will of course be delighted, but those not familiar with that music are wholeheartedly invited to take a plunge!
| | Updated: 30/01/2026Posted: 11/08/2019 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | SARAKINA ~ SUSPENDED IN THE MIST
AMADEUS 010 (Barcode: 5907467786216) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-World Fusion
Recorded: 2025 Released: 2025
This is the 7th album by Polish Jazz-World Fusion ensemble SarakinaFind albums by this artist, led by accordionist / composer Jacek GrekowFind albums by this artist (who also plays gajda and kaval), which also includes vocalist Anna KlebusFind albums by this artist, bassist Mateusz BielskiFind albums by this artist, clarinetist Jan MlejnekFind albums by this artist (who also plays tambura) and Hungarian percussionist Merse VargaFind albums by this artist (tupan, darbuka). The album presents eleven tracks, ten of which are traditional melodies from the border between Greece and Northern Macedonia and from Bulgaria, arranged by Grekow, and one is an original composition by Grekow. The album was excellently recorded at the Polish Radio Studio S4, and offers a highly enjoyable listening experience.
On this album the ensemble returns to its origins, staying close to the original Balkan sources and features less Jazz oriented accents, but of course includes a full dose of improvisation, which is already present at the heart of Balkan music. The presence of original instruments and the acoustic music is a breath of fresh air in contemporary musical aura, which is completely soaked in electronics. The unique Balkan meters (odd/8) are also an exciting rhythmic element, which makes one’s body move involuntarily.
It is truly remarkable to follow Grekow’s continuous dedication to the Balkan sources, which builds an important cultural bridge between music lovers from different origins, especially in an era, where most music is a meaningless bland of almost identical and universally insulting to human intelligence and aesthetic values.
Overall, this is a very pleasant virtual trip into exciting Folklore music, which is inspiring and exciting, by its originality and dedication. It follows the ensemble’s stream of releases after seven years of silence, and hopefully we won’t have to wait for the next album for so long. Thanks for the music and continuous effort!
| | Updated: 30/01/2026Posted: 30/01/2026 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
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