Electric Gypsyland 2

Like its predecessor, Electric Gypsyland 2 is a collection of reinterpretations of recordings by several modern Balkan bands — some of the new versions are relatively straightforward remixes, while others are much more dramatic and imaginative reworkings of the source material. Unlike the first volume in this series, however, this one also includes a bonus disc that offers original, untouched versions of songs by those same bands (though they're not always the same tracks as the ones remixed on the first disc). The format and presentation of this collection may be a bit unusual and even disconcerting, but that's probably as it should be — the same is true of the music itself, which is a wild fusion of musical styles even in its original form and is even more kaleidoscopically varied in the remixes. Check out the wild, almost klezmer-sounding clarinet on Koçani Orkestar's "Mi Bori San Korani," and the glitchy techno underpinnings that Smadji installs beneath it, or the dubwise production effects that DJ ClicK applies to Mahala Raï Banda's already faintly reggae-inflected "Romano Dance." But the album's highlight is "Red Bula," a brilliant piece of party-ready horn-based Gypsy dance funk given an even wilder setting by Balkan Beat Box. Contributions by Cibelle and Oi Va Voi are equally exciting. Highly recommended. - AMG review
More reviews: one, two


CD1 on megaupload or mediafire
CD2 on mediafire or megaupload


Disc 1
1. Homecoming — Tunng vs. Taraf de Haidouks
2. Alone At My Wedding — Buscemi vs. Kocani Orkestar
3. Oi Bori Sujie — Animal Collective vs. Kocani Orkestar
4. Red Bula- Balkan Beat Box vs. Mahala Rai Banda
5. Romano Dance — DJ Click vs. Mahala Rai Banda
6. Mi Bori San Korani — Smadj vs. Kocani Orkestar
7. Duba Duba Si Hora — Shantel vs. Taraf de Haidouks
8. A Rom And A Home — Oi Va Voi vs. Taraf de Haidouks
9. Maxutu — Cibelle vs. Kocani Orkestar
10. The Man Who Drinks- Forty Thieves Orkestar vs. Mahala Rai Banda
11. Moreau D’Amour — Nouvelle Vague vs. Mahala Rai Banda
12. Neacsu In Africa — ShrineSynchroSystem vs. Taraf de Haidouks
13. Immigrant Radio/Soldier Tufaiev Abroad — Yuriy Gurzhy/Russendisko & Friends vs. Zelwer
14. Go East — Gaetano Fabri vs. Taraf de Haidouks
15. Ismail Oro — 43 Skidoo feat. Susgeela Raman vs. Kocani Orkestar
16. Spoitoresa Revisited (Got The Parts Mix) — Russ & Roc vs. Mahala Rai Banda

Disc 2
1. Cudna Zena - Kocani Orkestar
2. Siki, Siki Baba - Kocani Orkestar
3. L'Orient Est Rouge - Kocani Orkestar
4. Duba, Duba Si Hora - Taraf De Haidouks
5. Terno Chelipe - Taraf De Haidouks
6. Cind Eram La '48 - Taraf De Haidouks
7. A La Turk - Taraf De Haidouks
8. Spoitoresa - Mahala Rai Banda
9. Lest Sexy - Mahala Rai Banda
10. Romano Dance - Mahala Rai Banda
11. The Fiancee's Dream - Zelwer
12. Soldier Tufaiev Gets Married - Zelwer