Most American film buffs know Emir Kusturica as one of the best directors to come out of the Balkans. What they may not know is that he’s a hell of a band leader. Check out this concert from 2005.
Music Videos
[Music] Fanfara Tirana meets Transglobal Underground – No Guns To The Wedding
Albanian gypsy music meeting electronica, perfectly balanced? Kudos who Fanfare Tirana and Transglobal Underground for this massive hit!
[Music] Elina Duni Quartet – Ka nje mot e gjysem viti
Perhaps Albania’s most beautiful export, Swiss-based jazz singer Elina Duni captivates with this tune.
[Music – Kočani Orkestar – Siki Siki Baba (Strict, Strict Father)
All credit goes to Canio Rosario Maffucci for posting a live version of this hit by Macedonia’s Kočani Orkestar earlier today.
Those who remember the movie Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan will certainly remember this tune!
[Music] Kraftwerk – Europe Endless
I’ve yet to hear a bad track from Kraftwerk. Thanks the my incredible friends on my Facebook feed who pointed me to this lilting piece of electronic music.
[Music] Journey – Topaz (1975)
I loathe Steve Perry. No, not as a person. I’m sure he’s swell and a blast to hang out with. I mean what he did to Journey. Former members of Santana, guitarist Neal Schon and vocalist Gregg Rolie, started the band out as a really good jazz-fusion band, touched a bit with hard rock. Perry’s vocals killed the band, at least for me, though millions of screaming teeny-boppers will, no doubt, tell me otherwise.
[Music] Pete Rodriguez – I Like It Like That
A bit of boogaloo to start your day, courtesy of Pete Rodriguez.
[Music] Mahmoud Ahmed – Hulum bègizéw nèw
Some funky Ethiopian soul, courtesy of Mahmoud Ahmed, one of the best voices of the old guard.
[Music] Leo Brouwer – “Recuerdos de Lieja” : Piazzolla, La Muerte del Angel (Live in Lukowski Festival)
Leo Brouwer comes from a distinguished pedigree, being the grandnephew of Cuban composer Ernesto Lecuona. His grotesque support of Communism aside, he is among the finest classical music guitarists of his generation, and his handling of Astor Piazzolla, in particular, is extremely impressive.
[Music] Twenty Sixty Six and Then – Winter
Fine, heavy, expansive Krautrock from one of the better German bands of the era, 2066 (Twenty Sixty Six) and Then.