cds/sound samples

SOUND CLIPS (MP3)...

KERMENSTA A traditional tune performed by Ian and Petro (not on the CD)

JATOVNE A traditional tune performed by Balkanatics from the CD

NERGSKIE A traditional tune performed by Balkanatics from the CD

CONVERGENCE An original by Ian from the CD

This new CD is now available. It 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

To buy this CD for £12 (free postage and packing!) click below

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CD REVIEWS

f-ROOTS Magazine (march 2005)

[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’.

Translated from the German by Gaby Geist