Various - Romanian Jazz

Having been restricted under Ceaucescu's government, Romanian music has developed somewhat independently: their folk music is wild and often discordant (a tradition not entirely separate from the tradition of not being able to afford new instruments); as potent as garlic and silver bullets when travelling through the Carpathian mountains. That untamed passion is present here too, as fiery as anything released by Blue Note during the same period (1966-78), and surprisingly enough, equally as well recorded. More than being of anthropological interest alone, there are some soaring performances that need to be heard: Johnny Raducanu's thunderous bass and Aura Urziceanu's multi-layerd vocals are both stellar, as well as the Prez Prado-isms of Orchestra Universitatii. As with any introduction to a new scene, the mavericks are left out, but as the Electrocord archives are explored further, we are sure to find some more gems on par with Taraf De Haidouks. [Ali Maloney]