Rapper Radoslav Banga, aka Gipsy, takes modern Roma music to a new level, blending traditional music and instruments with pumped-up beats and his rapid-fire rapping. Easily one of the most enjoyable global albums of the year, Romano Hip Hop has already won a slew of awards and spent months in the World Music Charts Europe. And for good reason.

Gipsy, violinist Vojta Lavicka, accordionist Petr Surmaj and his bassist brother Jan Surmaj make a glorious sound. Catchy as pop-laden commercial hip hop, Gipsy's music comes with the extra appeal of tradition-rooted melodies made modern. Sure, his attitudinal boasting (some in English) comes off a bit simplistic but his delivery is solid. Besides, after generations of oppression, the Roma community is due a little cultural pride. So crank up this album, and you'll soon agree that these gipsy kids can get u down. Highly recommended!

©2007 Scott Allan Stevens, Earball Media

http://www.earball.net/spintheglobe/reviews_2007/09-07.htm