COMPOSERS: Kal
LABELS: Asphalt Tango
ALBUM TITLE: Kal
WORKS: Kal
PERFORMER: Kal
CATALOGUE NO: CD-ATR 0906
Kal – the Romani word means ‘black’ – is likewise fired with zeal to preserve its cultural past, which in the case of this Belgrade band means a thousand years of Balkan gypsy culture. This enjoyable Roma roots band deliver the obligatory turbo-charged sound, with timeless gypsy vocals and hot clarinetting over pumping percussion, plus a rich mix of extraneous influences, from raga-style skat to beats from other parts of the world. It’s nice to know they regard the electronic keyboard as a curse on Balkan music.
Michael Church.