| Rare Jazz Fusion Gems From the Yugoslavian Vaults - 12" Vinyl Edition
 RTB Big Band "Balkan Ekspres"
Gaby Novak "Caravan"
DUSTY GROOVE AMERICA
In the tradition of the excellent other compilations on the Cosmic Sounds label -- this set features some killer jazz and funk gems from Yugoslavia, the kinds of tunes that we might have missed otherwise, thanks to the Iron Curtain! Finding the set's like discovering a pile of great records in the back of some dusty bookshop in a neighborhood you've never visited before -- as each one's got a different groove, mixing together electric funk with big band swinging and small combo modal grooving.
STRAIGHT NO CHASER (Summer 2001, page64) C.P.
Generally, I'll pass over compilations - there's simply too many available and rarely do you find one that's actually sayin' it! However, three tracks in on 'Balkan Express' I'm compelled to jump to and proudly present one that does. Rare Yugoslavian jazz/fusion gems that you're never going to have the pleasure of experiencing unless you take my advice and hunt this LP down. You needn't be a jazz dance enthusiast to appreciate this glorious tracks. The smokey atmosphere of Pork recordings from Tom Tyler would sit perfectly along side the heavenly Lala Kovacev, ripping it up with horn solos on intergalactic tip. Listening to the jazz samba magic from Dusko Gojkovic I'm transported to Russ Dewbury's Jazz rooms. Extraordinary is the only word fit to describe 'Caravan', which is sung in native tongue by Gaby Novak and simply buzzes along augmented by the funkiest of backing vocals. You'll not be disappointed. (C.P.) |