Kocani Orkestar

Kocani Orkestar comes from the city of Kocani, in the new Republic of Macedonia (ex-Yugoslavia). Performed by two trumpets, three tubas, saxophone, clarinet, zurla (traditional oboe) and percussion, their style of music is aptly described in their region as romska Orientalna musika, "rom" meaning "gypsy." It is a potent mixture of powerful brass band sounds, Turkish/Bulgarian rhythms (including characteristic asymmetrical time signatures such as 7/8, 9/8 etc., which are sometimes called "Aksak" in traditional Turkish music), and Eastern-style solos which are at the same time very skillful, inspired and wild.

With their new, expanded line-up, mighty Macedonian brass band Koçani Orkestar are wilder than ever, getting the entire audience up on their feet and dancing at every concert. Their music is still based on gypsy tunes from various parts of the Balkans and on Turkish/Bulgarian rhythms, with a sprinkle of Latin flavor. But this album is particularly devoted to the repertoire played by gypsy bands during wedding celebrations in Macedonia. This enables the Koçani Orkestar to transcend the strict boundaries of the brass band genre. Half of the tracks showcase the vocal talents of their two new singers (charismatic young Aljur Azizov and accordionist Zlate Nikolov), and there are several small ensemble pieces featuring instruments such as darbuka, banjo and clarinet. The band's popular trademark thundering style is as present as ever, with its powerful rhythm section (drummer and four tubas), which rocks like a mutant Balkan funk band, and its wailing, passionate soloists (Ismail Saliev on sax, Turan Gaberov on trumpet and Deladin Demirov on clarinet).

— Courtesy Calabash Music