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Balkan Express
 A True Gem from Yugoslavian Vaults: Balkan Express Release from Cosmic Sounds London of rare jazz tracks! RTB BIG BAND – BALKAN EKSPRES, RTB Big Band is institution on it's own. It is like a Jazz academy. Almost everyone who did anything in Jazz in Yugoslavia went through this band. It was formed in 1948 and still going strong. In 1978 they released double album for their 30 anniversary packed with quality music. Balkan Ekspres is just one of them. Tough funky fusion with excellent arrangements. MISHA BLAM - SECANJE (MEMORY), Misha is the best and probably the most used bass player in Yugoslavia also well known for organizing Belgrade Jazz Festivals. He was a long time companion of Dusko Gojkovic and member of RTB Big band but had some projects as a leader as well. Here is represented with extremely tasteful and deep fusion track from his LP "Secanja" (Memories). The track rises gradually and gets you more and more by every second. LALA KOVACEV - EMINA, Lala is the most original and definitely the best Yugoslavian drummer. Slow and deep fusion with a heavy funky bass line based on the traditional folklore theme. Full of excellent break beats. Check brilliant soulful solos on trumpet and saxophone. MILAN STOJANOVIC - BAG’S GROOVE, This track is taken from the extremely rare 7" EP from 1961 and was the only record that multi instrumentalist Stojanovic recorded under his name. He plays flute on this track and resemblance to Yusef Lateef is unbelievable. I had to check cover to make sure. DUSKO GOJKOVIC - QUO VADIS SAMBA, There is no need to talk about trumpeter Dusko. He is the best known Yugoslavian musician. Quo Vadis Samba is taken from the LP "Trumpet and Rhythm Units" and is Jazz Samba at it's best. It drives all the way through. Tip for DJs: Play it in a mix with Shamek Farrah's "Waiting For Marvin". GABY NOVAK - CARAVAN, Gaby is well known singer but not in Jazz. Popular music and ballads were her forte. Digging through the crates I was supprised to find her Jazz 10" from the early 60’s including this astonishing version of Caravan. Very trippy 60’s sound and beautiful voice of Gaby will definitely move you up. The most enlightening version I've ever heard. Works excellent in clubs. BIG BAND RTS - NE GA SI PRODAVAJ, RTB Big Band under the new name (Radio Television Serbia) strikes back. After all these years the quality has just improved. Amazing combination of Macedonian and Latino rhythms, and when you expect the least, beautiful string arrangements. It is a masterpiece and knowing that guests are Stjepko Gut, Peter Mihelich, Reggie Johnson and Alvin Queen there is no wonder. It is also worth mentioning String Ensemble “Jazzart”. BORA ROKOVIC - STRING-EM, Pianist Rokovic was for many years member of RTB Big Band and also known by his work on MPS. String-Em is a soundtrack style composition consistent of several parts. It changes mood several times, from strings arrangements to Jazz-Fusion with solid bass line and back. Other musicians on this track are RTB Studio Ensemble and Mica Markovic on tenor sax with mad, mad solo at the end. Get it here at 320 kbps! |
