The best of Bulgaria
Angelite is joined by a host of talented guests in an ear-opening double album
Angelite
Passion, Mysticism and Delight Angelite; Huun-huur Tu; Bobby Mcferrin; Sezen Aksu; Fanfare Ciocarlia; Sarband et al Jaro 4341-2 112:29 mins
Every so often European and American audiences are bowled over by music they have not heard before. Think of the impact of Buena Vista Social Club from Cuba, of Taraf de Haidouks from Romania, throat singers from Tuva, bluesmen from Mali. Think also of what was initially known as Le mystère des voix Bulgares, whose offshoot Angelite has just released a double-cd including choice tracks from its numerous records. Here are examples of its work with a wide variety of collaborators: heady magic with the Tuvan throat-singers Huun-huur-tu, exuberance with the Romanian Gypsy brass outfit Fanfare Ciocarlia, Middle-eastern gravity with the ancientand-modern Jewish/christian/muslim blend of Sarband, club cool with the floridly melismatic style of Turkish pop-singer Sezen Aksu.
But here too are lovely examples of its own unadulterated music, whose modal, vibrato-free sound cleanses the ears. Traditional melodies sung a cappella alternate with duets between voice and flute; virtuosity is demonstrated with swirling outbursts of heterophony; the singing of a Tchaikovsky chorale has ineffable grace. ★★★★★