Ormenion

I loved this disc. It brings to the fore the lively musical traditions that straddle the border of northern Greece, Bulgaria and Turkey. The combination of gaida (bagpipes), kaval (flute), lyra and daval (drum) is brilliant, and these musicians are really on top of their game. Ormenionz features a mix of traditional and new songs and dances, most of which showcase the dance rhythms of the region. Both the traditional, for example ‘Anastenariko (Firewalking Dance)’, and the new, such as the title-track, give the musicians a real chance to show off. their skills, with improvisations and the passing of ideas around the group.

If I have one small criticism of the recording it is that I wasn't quite sure what the organ added to the texture, as a lot of the drone functions could as easily be held by the bagpipes, which have a very similar tonal quality. To my ear there was an uneasy compromise between the traditional intonation of the Thracian instruments and that of the organ and Moog. The electronic sounds also made for a more muddy texture, somewhat drowning the other lines. Otherwise this is a fascinating and exciting excursion into a little-known musical tradition now undergoing a renaissance.