Gypsy Beats and Balkan Bangers
(Atlantic Jaxx)
It seems that Basement Jaxx’s Felix B is something of a connoisseur of gypsy and Balkan music. This splendid collection on the band’s own label brings together 15 dance tracks, and it’s easyto hearhow the music’s gypsy spirit and drunken hedonism might appeal to clubbers. You would expect the gypsy punks Gogol Bordello to be here with Start Wearing Purple, but there are also surprises aplenty in the riotous mayhem such as Romania’s Fanfare Ciocarlia.
NIGEL WILLIAMSON