Dobrila & Dorian Duo Two

Dobrila Grašeska sings traditional Macedonian songs and Dorian Jovanović provides accompaniments on oud, looping and electronics. It's a pleasant, though not particularly adventurous, mix – both on stage and on disc. The duo were one of the local acts at last year's OFFest in Skopje, the North Macedonian capital, and got a great reception.

Grašeska's vocals are strong but restrained, enjoying the particular melismas of the melodies. Between the verses, Jovanović's oud throws in melodic improvisations and Grašeska adds breathy vocal effects. ‘Prošetala se Kalina’ is a stand out with striking vocal effects and lovely soft oud improvisations. ‘Legnala Gjurgja Na Ramno Gumno’ is a dark sevdah-like melody, which is particularly haunting as the lute winds itself around the melody. There are no translations, but one imagines these are songs of lost love and tragic fate, with lighter moments like ‘Bog Da Go Bie Toj Ibraim-Odža’ with its vocal percussion and seductively curvaceous melody.

Dobrila & Dorian are nicely updating and reinvigorating the tradition, but is there anything striking enough to attract international attention in Dobrila & Dorian Duo Two? What's remarkable is how this music captures the atmosphere and tradition of the country which is audible in every bar. ‘More Pofali Se’ is a striking rhythmic song in 12/8 with seductive vocals and powerful and punchy oud playing which exemplifies this. But ultimately I think Dobrila & Dorian are more about reinvigorating the music for Macedonian speakers, rather than appealing to an international audience.