Klapa Primošten - Primoštensko Plavo More

Uhh I don't really know how to compactly write all this so it might turn up disjointed. For those of you who didn't know: I come from a tiny country called Croatia. It can roughly be divided into two areas which is the coastal area and the inland area (but "we" don't like to divide ourselves like that). I come from the coastal area which is (depending on who you ask) either really beautiful and unique or just a cheaper and less crowded version of Greece. I often seek out ethnic or folklore music from distant countries/areas. They always fascinate me and it made me think how there are maybe/probably people who might consider my area exotic, distant or unknown in terms of music. So I thought I'd share one of the most popular traditional musical styles from my parts. It's called klape or klapsko pjevanje.

The basic premise of this music is: five to eight dudes singing as a choir but each dude has his own pitch and they all sing the same thing at the same time. This kind of style probably originated from church choirs in the south a long time ago but it spread all over the coast. Unlike church songs these songs usually are about boats, women, alcohol, food and the bright blue sea. Most groups that sing this also include one or two instruments (mainly guitars and mandolins) although the original style should only have vocals. This type of music is insanely popular here, each town has at least one or two groups like this (especially along the coastline but inland towns started to get in on the fun) and you can hear it everywhere throughout the summer. Especially in the south.

Klapa Primošten is one of such groups. They come from a little town called Primošten and they are a very classic example of this kind of music. I like this kind of stuff, it's really relaxing and not really demanding on the ears. The unison of voices are really soothing on the ears and the soft accompanying music fits seamlessly with the voices.

If you're curious, check this one out. You might like it but I can't guarantee it.

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Battlefield Band - The Road of Tears

It has been a long time since I last made a post and it's raining heavily outside so I've decided to share something sad (but not really) and rainy.

Battlefield Band is one of those bands that is now less of a band and more of an institution. They formed way back in 1969 and they released a lot of albums but changed even more members. I haven't heard much of their stuff but what I did I liked it so I presume most of their discography is good if not excellent. This particular album is from more modern times and the music itself is a mixture of traditional music from Scotland and "modern instrumentation". So basically they're kinda like the Old Crow Medicine Show of Scotland on here.

This album packs a lot of songs so it clocks for about an hour. While the overall tone is somewhat sad there are plenty of merry instrumentals which are probably the best part of this album. Aside from the instrumentals there are a few traditional folk songs (Scottish and Irish) so there's a bit of everything in here.

In any case, it's a smooth listen if you're into it.

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Babatunde Olatunji - Drums Of Passion

Despite never playing or having drums I always had a passion for them. I will always enjoy a good drumming session and this album is exactly that plus Africa because Africa is great (when it comes to music not nutrition).

Babatunde Olatunji was a drummer from Nigeria, a country most known (musically) for Fela Kuti and afrobeat. This record was released back in 1959 so afrobeat and funk in general for that matter was not really around that time but you can hear a lot of drumming here that will occur in later music. As I have said before this album is all about drumming but there are chants here as well to complement the sounds. Some tracks feature other native instruments but overall focus is always on drumming and the beat. There's a plethora of moods here from sad songs to flirting dances and so on. You heard this music before elsewhere but you don't realize it until you hear it again here.

Overall a very fun and interesting album.

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Alexey Tegin - Gyer - Sacred Tibetan Music Of Bon Tradition

Before Tibet (or general area of Tibet) adopted Buddhism there used to be a wide array of pagan beliefs. Bon is supposedly one of those religions but it also has many other meanings. You are free to read about it here.

This album recreates music of those traditions. Buddhist or not this Bon tradition music is similar (or even exact) to the usual Buddhist chants with the exception of percussion that mark ends and beginnings of chants.

The music was done or orchestrated by Alexey Tegin who is from Russia. I don't really have a lot of information about this release so I'm not sure if he did this or if he recorded this in some monastery or if he used some kind of orchestra for this. Whatever the case may be the music is still pretty much awesome. You can expect all the usual sounds that are present in Tibetan music. Lots of droning, throat singing and deep thunderous trumpets.

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Takashi Hirayasu & Bob Brozman - Jin Jin/Firefly

This album was the product of an somewhat unusual collaboration. Okinawan koto player (among other things) and an American guitarist one day decided to record this album. Bob Brozman seems to be a totally bros man going around the world and playing with various people. This particular record is perhaps the best collaboration that I've heard from this guy.

Essentially it's one of those albums that makes you feel good. It feels like as if these two guys just met on the street and started jamming, playing solos and singing. Singing is done by Takashi and are fitting this record perfectly while most of the solos are from mister Brozman. All of the songs are catchy three to four minute jolly good melodies and merry vocals. It's simple and effective, just what folk should be.

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Ferenc Santa Jr - Alma Cigana - Hungarian Gipsy Music

Speaking of violins here's another type of music that's based around violins. Hungarian gypsy music.This ttype of music is somewhat similar to jazz but not that much. The similar part is that's big on improvisation and melody, since it's (or was) mainly played by gypsies who don't really care about reading or studying music. They all play by ear and make it up as they go. The difference is that the songs are structured much more differently and they lack the jazz beat obviously. Another difference is that it's mainly string and not brass, even the rhythm section is all string instruments.

With those differences aside this is enjoyable for most listeners even if you aren't into such things. Violins are one of the most beautiful instruments ever created so if its in the right hands it can create wonders. The bad thing about music like this is that most of the songs are on the same principle since it's traditional music but then again the solos on each song are fucking mind crushing so they are worth the listen.

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Monks Of The Dip Tse Chok Ling Monastery - Ritual Music of Tibetan Bhudism and Tantric Hymns

Back in the day when I was digging into the atonal world of drone and noise I heard some rumors (or assumptions?) that Sunn O))) got their inspiration from the sound of Buddhist chants. Thus began my search for this apparently spiritual music that resembles drone in many ways. To my dismay I never could find anything interesting or authentic. All I could find was watered down new age bullshit with random flutes and cheesy keyboards. The closest thing I could find was actually in Akiras original soundtrack (which I'll talk about when I eventually make a big Akira droolfest post) and some older more depressing 60s Japanese samurai films.

Alas(!) my search is over. Actually it's over for about half a year now but whatever. I finally managed to find some pure (bullshit-free) Tibetan/Buddhist music played by monks. This is completely free from all the flutes and keyboards and gentle female voices, they are all complete prayers accompanied by fittingly deep music instruments. So is this drone? Well; yes I think it is. At the start of the first track right when the humongous horn starts blowing I knew this is what I was looking for which is non compromised music from the temples of Tibet. Another thing that I noticed about this and Buddhist chanting in general is that it has a striking resemblance to the Tuvan throat singing (which I'll post sooner or after anyway so you'll hear it) so those two tings are probably connected in some weird way. Didn't read into that yet.

If you want something different and interesting to hear, check this out. If you like drone, you need to get this.

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