The music of Balakan is facinating festival of the gypsy fire of the Balkan countries & the Middle East. Folk pieces & wedding music from Bulgaria, Yugoslavia, Turkey, Greece and Macedonia are presented in original arrangements full of joy and energy. They combine the authentic spirit and rhythms into a modern contemporary production. Balakan was founded in 1999 and comprises musicians from Israel and Balkan countries including Yugoslavia, Bulgaria & Moldavia. The group members and guest artists appearing on this recording are of diverse musical background sharing their joint love of gypsy and Balkan music. Members of the group: Noam Chen - Percussion, vocals, keyboard & programming Tibi Golan - Bulgarian kaval, flutes & vocals Vitali Podolsky - Accordion Victor Azus - Bass Doron Rephaeli - Drums Guest artists: Ivan Kolev - Clarinet Gershon Waiserfirer - Jumbush Arik Polokowsky - Guitars Sania Kroitor - violin Oded Meire - Trombone Leonide Zupco - Tenor saxophone