Fanfare Ciocarlia are new to me and I’m left scratching my head wonder why in the hell I have not heard of this band before. They are billed as a Romanian Gypsy Brass Band but their music has wider roots that tap into many different cultures from Turkey, Macedonia, Bulgaria, and even hint at elements of Bollywood and pop standards from the US. To date they have released five albums all of which make use of blistering horn lines and tricky rhythms. Queens and Kings is no exception.

This is one of those albums that explodes in the opening notes, giving you little time to catch your breath or gather your wits as the band kicks up the dust and begins to spin you about. It is a beautiful album filled with an energy that is at once aggressive yet filled with joy and a pleasure of being alive. “Sandala” features some of the tightest brass playing I have ever heard with a tuba line that nimble dances about light as a feather. “Ibrahim” follows in suit matching staccato rhythms to a husky yet strangely enchanting vocals of Esma Redzepova but cool things down a little on “Ma Maren Ma” eventually turning that into a slow burning number with “Nakelavishe” where Redzepova makes a moving reprise.

To give you a little taste of their energy here’s a video from this year’s tour, shot in Berlin.

Since picking up this album the wife and I have been unable to put it down, giving it a spin nearly every day, just getting drunk on its intoxicating melodies and rhythms. You can find out more about the band on their page over at Asphalt Tango or over at Wikipedia which has a nice write up about the band and their music. Easily makes my Best of 2007 list. Very highly recommended.