The ever-brilliant Canary Records graces us with more Greek theater music and rebetiko. From the release’s Bandcamp site: “The word “mangas” for instance is untranslatable into English but has remained central to the notion of rebetika. It is a word that indicates a man who does not aspire to middle-class Continue Reading
Rebetiko
Marika Politissa – All Parts Dark
Much respect to Mississippi Records out of Chicago, Illinois for releasing this magnificent artifact! The back story is explained in great detail on the label’s Bandcamp site: Marika “Politissa” Frantzeskopoulou was a Greek singer from Constantinople, reknowned for her precise, fluid and graceful performances and depth of feeling. Backed by Continue Reading
Gadjo Dilo – Manouche de Grec
Imagine if Django Reinhardt and Vassilis Tsitsanis were to form a band together, combining the best elements of gypsy jazz and rebetiko. This is what Gadjo Dilo offer. The musicianship is superb, the recording is crisp, and these young Greek lads have a punchy, authentic sound that will get you Continue Reading
Brendan Perry – Songs of Disenchantment – Music from the Greek Underground
Dead Can Dance singer and multi-instrumentalist Brendan Perry is absolutely enamored with Greek culture, and it’s obvious because a lot of DCD’s work has an affinity towards it. Perry is especially appreciative of rebetiko, the local variant of the blues in Greek culture. This album is his paean to his Continue Reading