Theodosii Spassov: Bratimene(1998)

This is a compilation of Theodosy's best work from 1983 to 1998. Best described as Bulgarian ethnic jazz, this features Theodosy accompanied by some of the finest jazz musicians in Bulgaria: Theodosy Spassov - kaval; Yildaz Ibrahimova - vocals; Stoyan Yankulov - percussion; Milcho Leviev - piano; Vesselin Nikolov - sax; Simeon Shterev, Peter Petrov, Stefka Onikian. Reliased in 1998.

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Bratimene (RS) / Bratimene (HF) @ 320K

Fairy Tale Trio: Jazz Across the Borders (1998)

Traditional Bulgarian folk music commands an exceptionally rich heritage. Approximately 260,000 folk-songs are archivized in Sophia, 137,000 of which have been musically notated and over 5,000 folk-melodies are documented on tape recordings. One could logically assume that a trio so strongly rooted in the great Bulgarian music tradition would reproduce at least one of these melodies in their repertoire. Astonishingly, the Fairy Tale Trio does not. All of. the themes and pieces improvised upon by the three musicians are original compositions.

Actually the Fairy Tale Trio incorporates in its music many elements common to Bulgarian folklore : the irregular, asymmetrical meters, produced by the combination of different meters; the melodic and rhythmic allusions to the khoro-dance, and the use ofdiminished thirds and sevenths, so reminicent of the blue notes injazz. And yet Bulgarian folklore does not appear here verbatim, but is transformed through the dialogues of this trio into something exciting and new: a modern and contemporary Bulgarian music.

Folklore is not the objective here. It is not manipulated to conform to the needs of jazz. Quite intentionally the Fairy Tale Trio does not revert to known themes of traditional Bulgarian music. They are not allegated to a source of material to improvise upon. Even so, the roots of Bulgarian folk music are omnipresent - as spirit, as allusion, as a point of departure in a stylistic tour horizon, in which many strains and styles stand side by side in equality.

The centrifugal force of the trio lives and breathes from the idea of musical dialogue. Equality as the basis of musical partnership is the fundament of their improvisations. Within this consensus everything is allowed: clashes and frictions as well as convergences; musical excursions above and beyond the limitations of style and hybridization.

The Fairy Tale Trio creates a new, modern Bulgarian music which defies the usual definitions of jazz and folklore. Even the term "imaginary folklore", which nearly describes their style of music, is still insufficient. Most remarkably, the music of the Fairy Tale Trio is infused with the ongoing dialogue between three musicians of extremely varied life experiences.

THE FAIRY TALE TRIO

Theodosii Spassov - Kaval, Vocal
Anatoly Vapirov - Saxophon
Stoyan Yankoulov - Tupan, Percussion

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Part 1 - Part 2 (RS) / Part 1 - Part 2 (HF) flac

Saban Bajramovic: Romano Raj (2007)

June 2008: Saban Bajramovic, the "King of Gypsy music" died June 8th in Niš, Southern Serbia, he was 72 years of age.

The history of music is full of stories about fortunate outcomes, breakthroughs, fortunate and unfortunate events, misery, tragedies and treacheries. Saban Bajramovic has had plenty of each and some to spare. A legend in his own lifetime, he’s become a synonym for Gypsy music. So many stories have been told about him that there’s no way to separate fact from fiction. He even managed to survive Goli Otok (Barren Island), the infamous prison camp for political prisoners in post-WWII Yugoslavia, though he was imprisoned for deserting the army in order to see his girlfriend.

Hard life has left traces and bruises on his soul. God knows how many times he was stabbed, beaten, cheated. In general, his life has been a dynamic turn of events that eventually (and righteously) brought him the title “The King of Gypsy Music” (or “The Nat King Cole From the City of Nish”). Many of today’s famous musicians earn millions by recording some of his approximately 700. However, one thing is certain—there’s no way to separate the man from his songs, lyrics and music.

Romano Raj (Gypsy Heaven) marks a new turn for this 71 year-old singer. After fifteen years away from recording, he arrives with a strong album where, as usual, he is the complete author. Supported by Dobrovoljno Kovachko Drustvo (the Voluntary Blacksmith Society), a team of experienced musicians on the Serbian scene, Bajramovic delivers a dynamic album full of passionate vocals, and a tasteful mixture of Gypsy songs with jazz, funk and Cuban flavors.

All of these influences swirl through, appearing at the most unexpected of places. Popular songs such as “Geljan Dade,” “Bele Ruze” and “Devla Devla” get a different treatment here, as do the other songs, but Bajramovic’s shattered voice and passionate delivery add a keen excitement to the music. All twenty songs have a distinct laidback atmosphere, as if they were played on a warm summer night. Notable guest appearances include guitarist Vlatko Stefanovski and flutist Teodosii Spasov.

Bajramovic and the supporting band have poured their hearts and souls into this recording, while striking an excellent balance between tradition and modernity. Romano Raj is an indispensable albumfrom this giant of Gypsy music.

Romano Raj (MU)

Anatoly Vapirov, Theodosii Spassov, Stoyan Yankoulov: A Fairy Tale (1997) mp3 @ 320K

The Bulgarian composer and kaval player Theodosy Spassov was born in 1961. In his musical compositions Spassov blends the traditions of folklore with the latest developments of other musical genres ranging from jazz to classic. In the last few years he has also written music for symphonic orchestra and kaval. As a pupil of Veselin Nikolov he started his career with the legendary group „Jazz Linia" from Plovdiv at the beginning of the 80s. Already at that time his virtuous folkloristic playing of the kaval in connection with improvisation became apparent.Different projects followed. He played together with Bulgarian folklore groups as well as with musicians such as the Trio Bulgarka and "Le mystere des voix bulgares" etc., and jazz musicians, e.g. Milcho Leviev, Simeon Shterev. Spassov also realized several recordings and projects in his unique way of playing kaval fusion. „Welkya" (GEGA) was his first great project, realized with the Bulgarian folk singer Yanka Rupkina of the Trio Bulgarka - a successful mixture of folklore and jazz."Beyond The Frontiers" (GEGA) is a collection of various recordings as film music. Theodosy Spassov composed and produced the music for a number of films ("Granitza / The Border " 1993; "Gori, Gori Ogantche / Burn Fire, Burn" 1994 etc.). On invitation by two Italian composers - Carlo Siliotto and Ennio Morricone - he has recorded themes for their latest films - "An Italian Story" and "The Breakout of the Innocent".

1997/ 1998 play on the project/recording „The Glimpse" of Trilok Gurtu. He work the last years in The Fairy Tale Trio together with Anatoly Vapirov and Stoyan Yankoulov.

1999 a new project with Rabih-Abou Khalil and Glen Velez.

2000 play on the Black Sea Creative Formation with Enver Izmailov, Vladimir Volkov, Harry Tavitian, Anatoly Vapirov and Stoyan Yankoulov. The last recordings in New York with Dave Liebmann.