The music of this explosive oriental Gypsy band from Macedonia is a punchy mixture of powerful brass band sounds, wild Turkish/Bulgarian rhythms and inspired, exciting Eastern-styled solos. Headed by arranger/bandleader Na... more »at Veliov, the Koçani Orkestar?s lineup features two trumpets, three tubas, saxophone, clarinet, zurla (traditional oboe) and percussion.« less
The music of this explosive oriental Gypsy band from Macedonia is a punchy mixture of powerful brass band sounds, wild Turkish/Bulgarian rhythms and inspired, exciting Eastern-styled solos. Headed by arranger/bandleader Naat Veliov, the Koçani Orkestar?s lineup features two trumpets, three tubas, saxophone, clarinet, zurla (traditional oboe) and percussion.
"Never wrote a review on anything, but when I saw there was no comment on this absolute exquisite cd, I just had to. The Kocani Orkestar are one of the best gipsy brass bands around. They master their instruments with so much skilful subtlety, you will be amazed. I love speed gipsy brass like the one from the Fanfare Ciocarlia (also available at Amazom.com), but for me the Kocani Orkestar has a musically wider range of melodies and rythms. Especially since I have seen them playing live I am sold. This gipsy music is just magic and at some points you loose yourself into these hot Macedonian and wicked rythms. When you listen to it, you straight on imagine yourself in a Kusturica like scene of a wild wedding which never seems to end. My favourite, in fact they all are, but if I had to choose, I would select the title track for the power, Maxutu for the subtlety and Edinaesetorca for the wildness of it, Sevdah Hikmet best accompanied with some strong balkan drink, if you're into that, and the last one, Djelem Djelem is as proud as a matador walking into the arena ready to risk his life. Everybody buy it, or at least listen to this inpired and powerful punch of brass. with honour, Sladica"
When Tubas get Funky
Charlie Pettus | BR, LA | 11/17/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Yes, I did purchase this because of the outstanding review that one individual gave it, sound un-heard. Although, I'm not sure where my brain was when I kept reading BRASS band? but they weren't kidding - lots of trumpet and tuba. Admittedly, I was kind of taken back when the really great drum sequence at the beginning stopped and the whole thing whipped into a funky, lively, collage of brass and drums. I've let several of my friends listen to it, and they all do the same thing: They listen to the opening drums attentively, smiling. Then the brass kicks in and their faces screw up and they give me a funny look while I'm telling them to 'just listen'. After a few minutes they stop trying to analyze what they're listening to and their feet start tapping. It's like being at a Mardi Gras parade when the band stops right in front of you and the horn and drum sections start really getting down. When Tubas get funky and start playing Jazz/Latin/Middle Eastern rifts - you just can't help but want to bounce up and down and start dancing! Funky Carnival meets Latin Gypsies? Writing a review of this album does it no credit because it is really just that different. Aside from all that there are plenty of intricate 9/8's, a couple of 5's and other odd time signatures- got to love that. It's very energizing, although it might take a listen or two to grow on you."
Red wine
bolewski | Poznan, Poland | 10/06/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"night, red wine, Kocani to live to love not to die"
Great brass rhythms
AA Dude | Ann Arbor, Michigan | 09/09/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Kocani Orkester is merely one of a legion of great brass bands from Balkan countries and this is one of the best of such CD's. The rhythms are like none other in the world. This style originated in villages and there is a lot of borrowing from country to country while each retains its distinctive style.At times the sound is akin to perhaps Latin brass bands, but with a gutsier beat and overall sound. These are highly skilled musicians, though not in the classical sense. It is a much more personal style and is almost always used for dancing in the native context, but it is also great just to listen to. One common rhythm not used in the west is the seven-beat pattern of "quick-quick-slow" or 2-2-3. It gives the dances added energy and the music a different pulsating feeling. While Balkan music can often sound primitive (though not necessarily in a technical sense), the brass bands have a more modern feel, even though the influences are centuries old. Like all kinds of music there are mediocre examples. Kocani is by no means mediocre and unquestionably one of the best stylistically and technically.
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1
