Music
Press
Led by a scorchingly fast, incisive clarinetist who goes by the name Greg Squared . . . [Ansambl Mastika] is something beyond mesmerizing: ecstatic, powerful and danceable as hell. - lucidculture.wordpress.com
As a fan of Ivo Papasov and Yuri Yunakov, I must admit I am very impressed with this recording . . . Ansambl Mastika . . . easily performs all the ‘crooked dance’ meters, exotic scales and modes that are indigenous to the genre, doing so with conviction and a sense of adventure. All of the musicians are top-notch; they’ve obviously done their wood-shedding to master the stylistic gypsy nuances on their respective instruments. If you dig R&B (Roma ’n’ Balkan) in all its earthy funkiness, this album stands on fertile ground. - Global Rhythms Magazine
[Mastika] has a lot of energy and maintains the funkiness of Balkan brass bands wihout sacrificing accuracy and style. - John Uhlemann, KDHX radio, St. Louis, MO
"I enjoyed listening very much! Even my 12-year old son was bouncing around his homework while [Gde si, Bre?] was playing and this isn't the kind of music he usually listens to . . . I'll definitely be including it on my show. - Gil Medovoy, KDVS radio, Davis, CA
[A] top notch group of musicians from the U.S., [their] new record simmers like a well- seasoned stew. . .[a] funky and playful romp through the Balkans. . .'Gde si, Bre?' is laced with fun, filled with good dance tunes and is one of the more enjoyable efforts of 2006. - Steve Ramsey, KBCS radio, Seattle, WA
“Performance seemed very authentic, full of life and energetic. A solid ethnic choice for the festival.”
- Musikfest Programming Team
Discography
'Gde si, Bre?'–2006 release on Chamsa Records
Photos
Bio
With song styles ranging from the heart-wrenching clarinet 'miroloi' of northern Greece to the funkier chocheci of the Serbian and Macedonian Roma (gypsies); from the oriental mystery of Turkish chalgi ensembles and Middle Eastern orchestras to the driving power of Bulgarian wedding bands and Klezmer kapelye, Ansambl Mastika’s music is rooted in the myriad styles of Eastern Europe, the Mediterranean basin and the Middle East. In a joyful synthesis of these tumultuous sounds and irresistible grooves, the ‘New Balkan Uproar’ of Ansambl Mastika captivates audiences on the dance floor, in the concert hall, and at the festival stage, leaving them breathless and clamoring for more.
Videos of live performances can be viewed at myspace.com/ansamblmastika.
Links
