Songs of the Roma

This exploration of the rich Gypsy heritage of Balkan music is the second album by Scottish guitarist Simon Thacker with the cellist Justyna Jablonska and it’s a gem. Joined by Polish singer/violinist Masha Natanson and the Hungarian pair of cimbalom player Gyula Csík and double bassist Gyula Lázár, they reimagine songs by Esma Redžepova, Fanfare Ciocărlia and Romanian lăutar Gabi Luncă plus Roma folk standards such as ‘Ederlezi’. Thacker’s arrangements are wildly imaginative, combining Romani tradition, classical and flamenco tropes and avant-garde experimentalism, Jablonska’s playing is breathtaking and Natanson’s wonderfully expressive voice is one minute keening and the next as sweet as a sugarplum. There’s an energy and intensity throughout and plenty of wit to go with the elegiac beauty.