Shukar Collective - URBAN GYPSY (2005)

The Shukar Collective was born in Romania from the meeting of new generation musicians with the gypsy traditions of Shukar founders Napoleon, Tamango and Clasic. Shukar play ursari music (ursar means 'bear tamer' or 'bear handler') using spoons, wooden barrels or darabuka to create a powerful and urgent sound that is at the same time emotional and soulful. Urban Gypsy combines Shukar's original ursari music with the new technology of the collective, resulting in their distinctive sound. Shukar Collective combine traditional Romanian bear-baiting tunes with cutting-edge samples and beats. But his isn’t the usual cut-and-paste ‘global dance’ cash-in. The break-beats here have multiple fractures, and have been aligned to the core material of croaky vocals and barrel bashing, in order to produce an atmospheric as well as a bombastic journey into an unknown world.' Pairing a traditional form of Roma (Gypsy) singing known as usar ("bear handler") with jazzy basslines and electronic beats, Urban Gypsy is like nothing you've ever heard before. I guarantee it. The highly varied music includes rapidfire vocals on "Malademna" that will remind you of Tamil drum language, the heavy dub feel of "Gipsy Blooz," and other influences ranging from electronica to hiphop to drum 'n' bass. While the DJs of this collective have their way with the music, the focal point is the vocals, always the gruff, throaty, percussive vocals. Some songs ("Bar Boot," "Lautarium") lose their balance, the vocals too overwhelmed by heavy electronica. Others, particuarly "Hahaha," and "The Wind," "Wander," and "Verbal Fight" are brilliant blends of old and new. While it has good information about the musicians and the music in general, the CD insert could have been more generous with song notes and lyrics. One might hope that CDs like this one will inspire young musicians to mine the riches of their own culture even as they integrate new technologies into their music. This wild Roma breakbeat adventure is highly recommended!

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