O’Roma

I’ve gone years without hearing Slovak Roma music then receive two new albums in the same month – Júlia Kozáková’s Manuša and Marcela’s O’Roma. Where Kozáková is a Slav singing with Roma musicians, Marcela is a band fronted by Marcela Cisarova, a singer and dancer from the Slovakian Kalderash Roma people, and made up of four French musicians.

Cisarova studied for two years in the Romathan School in Slovakia – the only public theatre founded by the Roma community in Europe – then settled in France, where she danced and met musicians who helped her widen her musical horizon. This is when Marcela, the band, first came together. They released their debut album, Murchale, in 2015 – O’Roma is the follow up. Cisarova has a raw, forceful voice and the largely acoustic band play with a drive that complements her. Elements of Gypsy jazz guitar are here – some lovely solos feature – yet the music is largely focused on keeping Cisarova’s voice out front as she sings what I imagine are Slovak folk songs. There is an excitement throughout this album, suggesting Marcela Cisarova might be developing into an exciting new name in European roots and Gypsy music. O’Roma is a dynamic listen.