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Concert Fri Dec 07 2007
Dropping Bombs
When a band hails from Europe, the United States and the Middle East, the phrase “dropping the bomb” takes on a new meaning.
Although the band’s ethnic mix could be considered an unlikely socio-political goulash, Balkan Beat Box wants you to forget any preconceived notions about warring factions and concentrate on the wild mishmash of musical styles, which incorporates Middle Eastern, Mediterranean and European cultures, while adding a healthy dose of electronica and punk aesthetic.
BBB boasts three Americans and three Israelis (who claim Romanian, Polish and Yemenite ancestors) in their lineup, along with Bulgarian choir singers and an Iranian rapper. Their latest album, Nu Med, is just the exotic dance party one would expect from two musicians whose past work includes Gogol Bordello (Kaplan as a band member, Muskat as a producer).
While BBB shares Gogol’s party atmosphere, they leave out a lot of the more chaotic elements. Instead, Nu Med, recorded in Brooklyn, focuses on introducing amazing world musicians, whose contributions truly make the album. Dessislava Stefanova’s Bulgarian a cappella children’s song is layered atop hypnotic beats in “Joro Boro,” and Syrian singer Dunia melds rapping with traditional ululations in “Habibi Min Zaman.”
Catch 'em tonight at the Logan Square Auditorium with Loto Ball Show.