Balval ~ Blizzard Boheme ~ CD

French ensemble that arranges and performs traditional works from Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Moldavia, Serbia, Azerbaidjan, Russia, Transylvania, Albania, Chech Republic.... The group's sound is informed by the varied musical backgrounds of its members, who bring elements of Jazz, Rock, Latin, and Classical musics to the mix. Their spirited vocals and rhythmic verve occasionally border on the busy, but everything is well played, and the slower songs have some nice dark moods and are very expressive. Hot violin, cool guitar, swinging bass, dancing percussion (cajon...), and vocals. Booklet in French, with a seperate booklet containing English translations of the lyrics.