The rough guide to the music of Eastern Europe

"Try to represent the folk and roots music of half a continent of many nations including many minority ethnic groups and bear in mind that many pan-nationals such as Romany and Jewish groups are ubiquitous throughout this huge area ... Under these constraints, this is a pretty good effort. Amongst personal favourites not included are the 100mph gypsy brass bands and the powerful Bulgarian women's choirs but they have only thirteen tracks to cover everything and their choices are all interesting. We are treated to a lot of the things that are expected from Balkan and Slavonic music - exciting, complex rhythms featuring remarkable musicianship, fast feathering fiddle, virtuosic accordeon, pleading clarinet all played in dance rhythms that increase in pace to a climax. From the singers we hear declamatory statement singing from the men and the typical sobbing lament singing from the women".