CCMusic.com

Once again, Alia Vox remains true to it's boutique offerings and reveals the secrets of Bulgarian minorities thanks to one of the geniuses of contemporary ethno-music, Nedyalko Nedyalkov. The Spirit of Bulgarian Traditions is a project that presents in summary form the exquisite and exceptionally intriguing melodies of ethnic groups that have settled in and inhabited Bulgarian lands. Over the years some of these minority groups have disappeared, while others still survive and create their own inimitable and often misunderstood folklore. Therein lies the key to this successful project, which combines a skilful selection of ostensibly diametrically opposed geographical regions, all performed in Nedyalko Nedyalkov's exceptional interpretation. The album magnificently interweaves melodies and songs from Aegean Thrace, Gagauzia (from the Varna region and settlers from the Orestiada region), the Shoppe region near Sofia, Vlachia, the Pazardzhik region, a unique strip between the western Rhodope Mountains and Eastern Pirin Macedonian region (Pomak music), the music of Greek itinerant shepherds who inhabit Bulgarian territories (Karakachani), the Kopanari Roma, and others. Besides it's ethnic diversity, the album also impresses with it's natural sound, as it was recorded in a Catholic cathedral with no modern multi-tracking recording technology, which makes this product unique in terms of documentary content. The instruments used will also pique listeners' curiosity and showcase the possibilities of the Bulgarian three-register kaval, the Vlach duduk, the kaba (large) and dzhura (small) bagpipes, dvoyanka, gadulka, tambura, tupan, daire and tarambuka.