This CD is a combination of studio based compositions and repertoire taken from the Balkanatics' live set.
It features Ian on saxophones, flute and
zurna playing his original compositions with influences from the Balkans, Turkey
and India.
There are also several traditional
pieces from the Balkan region performed by the Balkanatics band featuring -
Ian East, Numan Elyer, Toby Nowell, Petro Dewshi and Dave Powell.
'I revelled in the atmospheric and
haunting mix of trumpets, accordion, tuba, darbuka and davul....A most rewarding
collection for the discerning listener' - Musician Magazine
'kick-ass Balkan brass band...their
sound is robust, high energy...an album that equals more than the sum of it's
two contrasting parts' - f-ROOTS
'Hot Balkan time signatures' - The Guardian
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[An] album based around very different traditions, but delivered with a
distinctive 'London' sensibility. Ian East is a jazzhead sax player and
flautist who has dabbled in various worldly sounds and appears to have a
particular affinity with Balkan music.
The Balkanatics are a kick-ass Balkan brass band. A five-piece who feature
accordionist Pedro Dewshi and Turkish percussionist-about-town Numan Elyer,
alongside the brass players.
Their sound is robust, high-energy Gypsy-style brass and they're featured on
seven of the 11 tracks here, driving their way through a set of traditional
tunes. The remainder of the album is taken up by duets between East and
Elyer. These pieces draw on Balkan, Turkish, Indian and Jazz influences and
were originally developed in live performance, but here feature
multi-tracking sax, and the 'so loud it could blow your head off' Turkish
zurna (oboe).
The result is an album that equals more than the sum of its two contrasting
parts. Had East just focused on only one of these projects, it wouldn't have
had half as much sticking power.
Musician
magazine 2005
The Balkanatics is a Balkan inspired brass band which consists of seven
like-minded musicians from the London music scene. Led by East, the act has
a flexible line up, although I am pleased to say that all the regular
participants have contributed here.
As a recent convert to Turkish influenced sounds, I revelled in the
atmospheric and haunting mix of trumpets, accordian, tuba, darbuka and davul.
Of particular note was also the breakneck percussion which signals the
entrance of 'Convergence' and the light and humorous swing to 'Kanbur'. A
most rewarding collection for the discerning listener.
My Way
Magazine - issue #58 2005
Ian
East is an English saxophonist who on ‘Balkanatics’(Beeboss CD206) expresses
freely his love for eastern music with like minded musicians. The material
is taken from two projects, firstly the impressive Balkan repertoire from
the brass band also named Balkanatics and secondly from a duo studio project
with percussionist Numan Elyer, where elements of Turkish and Indian music
are incorporated. The CD balances the powerful material of the first project
with the often meditative-hypnotic influence of the second project, leading
to a universal eastern sounding mixture. Ian East is in fact with head,
heart and instrument in a nice way ‘east’.
