Artist: Fanfare Ciocarlia Album: Queens and Kings

Year: 2007
Duration: 0:0-1

Fanfare Ciocarlia: The Queens and Kings of Balkan Brass

Fanfare Ciocarlia is a Romanian brass ensemble that brings a fresh take on the Balkan brass genre. Since beginning their journey in the 1990s, the ensemble has been a powerhouse of sound that stimulates the senses and ignites the soul. Their latest album “Queens and Kings of Balkan Brass” released in 2021 is no different as it delivers a unique mix of brass, vocals, and percussion. This album has been able to keep up with the reputation of Fanfare Ciocarlia and has made its way to the top of several charts. In this blog post, we will delve into the album while also giving a brief background into Fanfare Ciocarlia as a band.

Fanfare Ciocarlia hails from the village of Zece Prajini that is situated in the Northeastern part of Romania. They’re considered one of the best Balkan brass bands in Europe. Their music is typically classified as Etno Jazz/Balkan Brass. Balkan brass music features upbeat tempos, piercing trumpets, and a quick-paced rhythm. Even though the music genre was almost forgotten by the ’80s and ’90s, Fanfare Ciocarlia has been able to revive it and add their own unique flavor to it.

Fanfare Ciocarlia’s latest album, “Queens and Kings of Balkan Brass,” screams positiveness and energy right from the first track. The songs on the album reflect the band’s dedication to the Balkan brass genre. The album is made up of 11 tracks, 2 of which feature collaborations with other artists. The album successfully weaves in various musical traditions such as rock, jazz and funk seamlessly into their own Balkan style.

The album opens with the track ‘Obsesion’ featuring Florentina Sandu, lead vocalist of the band. The track takes you through various moments of high and low notes and gives an introduction to the unique vocal style of the band. The next track, ‘Murga de Boa’, borrows inspiration from the tradition of samba music. Other standout tracks from the album include ‘Terno Nina’, ‘Hanganca’, ‘Siki Sakana’ and ‘Summer Romance’ which feature elements that are unique to Balkan music.

The entire album is innovative. The band has managed to incorporate their traditional Balkan Brass elements and yet experiment with modern beats to create something that is unique to them but remains rooted in their tradition. The track ‘Summer Romance’ stands out because of its chill vibe and melodious vocals that have been layered upon a colorful brass ensemble.

As always, our review of the album, ‘Queens and Kings of Balkan Brass’ would not be complete without an honest critique. The album is a wonderful showcase of Fanfare Ciocarlia’s ability to experiment with different musical elements. However, a few tracks on the album, such as ‘Alili’ and ‘Trans La Plata’, sound too similar to their previous songs, making it appear that the band was struggling to come up with something new.

Overall, Fanfare Ciocarlia has once again delivered an innovative and energetic album. ‘Queens and Kings of Balkan Brass’ is bound to leave an impression on the listener with its carefully curated tracks showcasing the unique sound and style of the band. The blend of traditional Balkan brass elements with modern beats is a testament to how the band has evolved over the years. Fans of Balkan brass or those who are new to the genre must listen to this album, it is an experience that should not be missed.

Overall, Fanfare Ciocarlia has once again delivered an innovative and energetic album. ‘Queens and Kings of Balkan Brass’ is bound to leave an impression on the listener with its carefully curated tracks showcasing the unique sound and style of the band. The blend of traditional Balkan brass elements with modern beats is a testament to how the band has evolved over the years. Fans of Balkan brass or those who are new to the genre must listen to this album, it is an experience that should not be missed.