Makhorka

Formed in 1998 in France by a trio of buskers from St Petersburg, Russia, Dobranotch originally played Irish music. Perhaps realising that demand across Europe was now stronger for Balkan and East European music than Celtic, Dobranotch adapted their sound and here, on their latest album, they deliver a hearty mix of Russian folk and brass music with strong klezmer flavours. Apparently the band are now based out of St Petersburg and the line-up has changed many times: they now appear to be a nine-piece featuring brass alongside fiddles and clarinets and percussion. Their music is certainly theatrical in the Russian tradition of over-the-top performances, and the vocalist has a big, ringmaster voice, which means they are likely a lot of fun live. As with Balkan brass bands like Fanfare Ciocărlia (who I'm certain Dobranotch have studied) they can start a song slow then build it up to a big, brass roar. But home listening to such means a little goes a long way.