Choban Elektrik - Choban Elektrik (self-released)
Last summer we did an interview with Club d'Elf's Mike Rivard (check here) when he released his gnawa fusion and psychedelic masterpiece Electric Moroccoland. Now a NYC trio lead by keyboardist Jordan Shapiro brings another kind of fusion in a taste approaching Rivard's striking improvisations. Choban Elektrik takes Albanian, Macedonian Greek and Armenian traditional songs (let's say the balkanic répertoire) and turns them to wild prog-rock-psychedelic-free-jazz mainly improvised pieces. On Choban Elektrik Frank Zappa's disciple Jordan Shapiro plays ultra-powerful, heavy and dirty Fender Rhodes and Hammond B3 - a category in which he joins his NYC heavyweights counterparts John Medeski and Marco Benevento. Tracks like Koftos or Steve's Gajda will blow your mind for good, making Shapiro and his mates a very exciting and young crew worth to follow. Probably some 'under the radar' release outside the Big Apple, but truly an impressive record from start to finish.
Choban Elektrik - Choban Elektrik
(CD/Digital) self-released, 2012-05-18
Tracklisting :
01. Valle E Shqipërisë Së Mesme 5:46
02. Moj Xhemile 4:57
03. Kopanitsa 5:12
04. Beratche from Prespa 4:56
05. Mom Bar 5:09
06. Koftos 3:12
07. Steve's Gajda 6:50
08. Çobankat 6:07
09. Ibraim Odza/Pusteno 4:39
010. Jasino Demarilievo Oro 5:21
011. Stankena Tehova 4:35
Links :
Official site : chobanelektrik.com
Buy on chobanelektrik.bandcamp.com
Band Members :
Jordan Shapiro : Hammond organ, Fender Rhodes, electric guitar, accordion, piano
Dave Johnsen : Electric Bass
Phil Kester : Drums, kanjira, marimba, riq, pandeiro, tuned bronze alloys
Eva Salina Primack : Vocals
Jesse Kotansky : Violin
Choban Elektrik "Kopanitsa"
Choban Elektrik "Solunski Coceck"
Original post on Paris DJs