MUSIC - SPRING 2008

Between the thirteenth and seventeenth centuries, a curious phenomenon swept through Europe whereby entire crowds were spontaneously moved to dance through cities and villages until collapsing from exhaustion. Known variously as the Dancing Mania, St. Vitus' dance, and Tarantism, the mysterious affliction has since been chalked up to a host of causes, from ergot poisoning to mass hysteria.

 

More recently, however, uncontrollable dancing has also been induced by exposing subjects to the grooves of Slavic Soul Party!

 

If you haven't heard what a Balkan-inflected funk-gypsy fusion brass band sounds like, now is your chance. This spring, Hotel St. George invites you to listen in on one of the most infectious ensembles on the circuit today. The nine members of Slavic Soul Party! include John Carlson (trumpet, truba), Ron Caswell (tuba), Brian Drye, (tenor truba, trombone), Jacob Garchik (baritone truba, trombones), Ben Holmes (trumpet, truba), Matt Moran (percussion, composer), Oscar Noriega (alto sax, clarinet), Peter Stan (accordion), and Take Toriyama (snare drum, darabouka).

 

Click a track, but be forewarned: maniacal dancing may ensue.

Slavic Soul Party!

[from "Teknochek Collision"]

1.   Opa Cupa (with vocalist Eva Salina Primack)

2.   Never Gonna Let You Go

[from "Remixed"]

1.   Ruchenista

2.   Technochek Collision (M.E.M.O.R.Y. Man Remix)

[from "Bigger"]

1.   Çaçak Nirvana

2.   Missy Sa-Sa

For directions on submitting music, click here.


For access to music from previous issues, click here.