Published:
March 29, 2016
Fanfare Ciocarlia, the world's foremost Gypsy brass band, celebrate their 20th anniversary in 2016 with an album brimming with their signature Balkan party sound, refreshingly laden with a smattering of big band Interpretations of some blues and Latin corkers.
Recorded between Berlin and Medellin in Colombia, ‘Onwards to Mars!’ is the Romanian band's first studio album since 2013. The famed Gypsy rioters update a favourite with ‘Mr Lobaloba’ taking a dance-floor friendly and distinctly cumbia approach. Other highlights include a Roma inspired version of Screaming Jay Hawkins’ ‘I put a Spell on You’ feat Iulian Canaf, plus a cover of ‘Bunica Bate Toba’ by the ever-popular Moldovian Rock band Zdob si Zdub.
Hailing from a tiny village in north east Romania, Fanfare have gone on to conquer the world's stages with their hugely exciting performances while each Ciocarlia album has topped countless DJ charts and inspired countless imitators. Known as the ‘Balkan Beat’ originators, the band’s live reputation goes from strength to strength. They’re touring Asia, Oceania, USA and Europe during March and April with a live date confirmed on July 16 at Walthamstow Garden Party in London.
‘Onwards To Mars!’ sees Fanfare Ciocarlia take another leap forward with the band digging deep into their rural Romanian roots while turning their inspirations from their travels into new musical connections. Long standing fans will appreciate the band's earthy roots with two traditional Romanian songs sung by senior member Radulescu Lazar (‘Un Tzigan Avea O Casa’ and ‘Trenul Masina Mica’) and the very slow Balkan Blues of ‘Doina’.
Fans will also recognise the new arrangement of ‘Mista Lobaloba’, evidently oozing their newly found love of Colombian cumbia. The final track of the album is a cover version of Lucho Bermudez’s, ‘Fiesta de Negritos’, recorded in Medellín with cumbia group Puerto Candelaria, the original popularised by the Cartagena compilation on Soundway Records.