L'Udová Hudba Pokošovci 2

Pokošovci Band are a Slovak Gypsy group largely made up of members of the Pokoš family. They are based in the Horehronie region in the highlands of central Slovakia and specifi cally the two villages of Telgárt and Šumiac about five kilometres apart. Like Clejani in Romania, home of the Taraf de Haidouks, it's an area that's become famous for traditional music and still has a living tradition. This double album showcases the current repertoire of the most celebrated regional band. The band's leader is fiddler Miroslav Pokoš and on the first CD he's joined by Jana Ambrózová on second violin. She's an academic and enthusiast for the local s.le and keeps them on track in this repertoire. She's also the producer.

This first disc opens with multi-part singing (in Slovak) for which the area is also famous. The slower singing alternates with faster instrumental sections and singer Nina Varšová carries ‘Sadiu Šuhaj Tri Jedlovo Stromcoki’ wonderfully. The musical texture is like many bands in the Carpathian region with a pair of lead fiddles accompanying off-beat violas, accordion, and sawing double bass. The bowing is often fast and furious.

The second CD features Pavol Trnka on second violin and the excellent Milan Hroncek on cimbalom, with some flourishing solos. Most of the male vocals come from the band itself, but there are fine female singers too, including Irina Harvanová and Viera Pokošová in Romani. Of course, the best place to hear this music is at some par. for live event, but it's good that Jana Ambrózová, with help from the Slovak Arts Council, makes it available for a wider audience on this CD.