Beirut - Gulag Orkestar

The New Mexico based collective led by Zach Condon looked to Eastern Europe for influences for its first album. Condon took Balkan folk music and brought it to a mass audience – not an easy task. The ukulele, mandolin and other traditional instruments are all employed with the ease of someone who has been surrounded by this music for decades – not a 19 year old from Albuquerque. Gulag Orkestar builds then eases throughout with Condon’s voice flowing comfotably over superb string and horn arrangements. (Eamonn Halpin)