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Written in fRoots issue 209, 2000

KAYAH & BREGOVIĆ
Kayah & Bregović
Zic Zac/BMG 74321724142 (1999)

Goran Bregović is usually associated with Gypsy music, but there’s only one specifically Gypsy number in this collaboration with Kayah in which the latter sings Polish lyrics, a couple her own and the rest translations of texts from Bregović, Andrew Marvell, Iggy Pop and Ofra Haza.
      Nevertheless there’s a big warm robust Gypsy feel to an album full of catchy, spirited songs that feel like they’re already on the tongues of millions.
      Recorded in Poland, Greece, Yugoslavia, Serbia and Turkey with musicians unfortunately and reprehensibly un-named in either of the booklets, it’s an object lesson of commandingly upfront production, constant variety and vivid colour, loaded with memorable hooks, alluring Arabic scales, slithering, gutsy strings, oud, breathy flutes, fast-tonguing Gypsy brass, passionate backing vocals and real meaty percussion, evoking musics from all across southern Europe and north Africa, crowned by Kayah’s jubilant, full-blooded, wind-blown huskiness.
      Exquisite.


© 2000 Andrew Cronshaw
 

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