This CD is a combination of studio based compositions and repertoire taken from the Balkanatics’ live set.
It features Ian on saxophones, flute and zurna playing his original compositions with influences from the Balkans, Turkey and India.
There are also several traditional pieces from the Balkan region performed by the Balkanatics band featuring – Ian East, Numan Elyer, Toby Nowell, Petro Dewshi and Dave Powell.
Copyright (c) – BeeBoss Records
Phonographic Copyright (p) – BeeBoss Records
Credits
Accordion – Petro Dewshi
Tabla, Frame Drum, Ghatam, Cymbal, Other [Darbuka] – Numan Elyer
Trumpet, Tenor Horn – Toby Nowell
Tuba – Dave Powell*
Zurna, Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Flute – Ian East
‘I revelled in the atmospheric and haunting mix of trumpets, accordion, tuba, darbuka and davul….A most rewarding collection for the discerning listener’ – Musician Magazine
‘kick-ass Balkan brass band…their sound is robust, high energy…an album that equals more than the sum of it’s two contrasting parts’ – f-ROOTS
‘Hot Balkan time signatures’ – The Guardian
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CD REVIEWS
f-ROOTS Magazine (march 2005)
[An] album based around very different traditions, but delivered with a distinctive ‘London’ sensibility. Ian East is a jazzhead sax player and flautist who has dabbled in various worldly sounds and appears to have a particular affinity with Balkan music.
The Balkanatics are a kick-ass Balkan brass band. A five-piece who feature accordionist Pedro Dewshi and Turkish percussionist-about-town Numan Elyer, alongside the brass players.
Their sound is robust, high-energy Gypsy-style brass and they’re featured on seven of the 11 tracks here, driving their way through a set of traditional tunes. The remainder of the album is taken up by duets between East and Elyer. These pieces draw on Balkan, Turkish, Indian and Jazz influences and were originally developed in live performance, but here feature multi-tracking sax, and the ‘so loud it could blow your head off’ Turkish zurna (oboe).
The result is an album that equals more than the sum of its two contrasting parts. Had East just focused on only one of these projects, it wouldn’t have had half as much sticking power.
Musician magazine 2005
The Balkanatics is a Balkan inspired brass band which consists of seven like-minded musicians from the London music scene. Led by East, the act has a flexible line up, although I am pleased to say that all the regular participants have contributed here.
As a recent convert to Turkish influenced sounds, I revelled in the atmospheric and haunting mix of trumpets, accordian, tuba, darbuka and davul. Of particular note was also the breakneck percussion which signals the entrance of ‘Convergence’ and the light and humorous swing to ‘Kanbur’. A most rewarding collection for the discerning listener.