Bluesmen's World(Music)

Romano Drom practises music as a freedom. A way of discovering, accessing and sharing the world. Far from confining themselves to a gypsy folklore often claimed by the "gadgés", the Antal Kovács father and son group makes capital of new tones and instruments, common elsewhere but unusual in the Hungarian Olahs tradition which often includes 'domestic percussion' played on aluminium pots, spoons and other utensils in support of the singing. This process may seem obvious to a number of musicians. For them, when one understands the hard nature of their lives and the fact that they are always torn between their loaded tradition and the clarion call of post-modernity, it becomes a question of demanding work from the ferryman of culture. These few songs encapsulate this transition and Romano Drom is at the forefront of this new generation of gypsy music.

01.Dema Mama
02.Chi Mangav Me!
03.E Bax
04.Mangaipo
05.Mishtoj Mange
06.Xanamika
07.Giabaras
08.Ande Pacha
09.Na Rov Gazhi
10.Duma Boldav
11.Matyilem
12.O Milaj
13.Ande Lindri

Antal "Anti" Kovács Jr. - guitar, lead and backing vocals, churn, spoons, percussion
Antal "Gojma" Kovács - lead and backing vocals
József "Joco" Balogh - lead and backing vocals, guitar
Zsigmond "Csika" Rafael - milk churn, vocal bass

Guests:
Zoltán Orosz - accordion
László Molnár -double bass
Mónika Lakatos - lead vocals
János Bárzsanyi - saxophone
Róbert "Harcsa" Farkas - violin
Mihály Rostás - vocal bass, churn, cajon, percussions

Link

pass: bluesmen-worldmusic.blogspot.com

"The music on this cd is incredible in its intensity and power - and in its honesty. The band centers around a father, Gojma (Antal Kovács); and his son, Anti (Antal Kovács, Jr.). Gojma's raw, fiery voice contrasts nicely with the smother style of his son - and Anti's guitar work is beautiful. There is a strong Flamenco influence that can be heard in Anti's playing - Spain being just one of the stops on the Roma Road. These two central figures are joined by Joco (József Balogh) on vocals and guitar; Csika (Zsigmond Rafael) on milk churn (that's right...) and bass vocals; Kornél Horváth on an amazing array of percussives (he also offers some percussion-related vocalizing, akin to that heard in recordings of tabla players from India); Zoli (Zoltán Orosz) on accordion; and Laci (Lászlo Molnár) on double-bass. Together they make some of the most infectious, honest and moving music you're likely to hear anywhere.

The songs here deal with life - plain, simple and complicated. There are songs of love and loneliness, of relations with neighbors, of the difficulties in finding suitable employment (who can't relate to that...?), and more. The melodies are beautiful, the playing throughout is superb. This recording would be a great introduction to the music of the Romany Road - check it out!"