Albania is not the first country to associate with jazz. For many decades, the Balkan country pursued a strict communist regime, suspicious of any form of cultural exchange with the outside world. Nevertheless, the talented Elina Duni proves that the language and folk melodies of the Albanians fit perfectly with the frivolous music of ex-hereditary enemy America. Elina grew up in an artist family
… and moved to Switzerland in 1992, when she was eleven. For this album she arranged traditional songs from the Balkans with the other three members of her quartet (piano, bass and drums). Most of it is Albanian, but there is also a Greek, Romanian and a Roma song. The a capella song Kënga e Qamilies with which Elina opens this album is impressive. In one of the most famous Albanian songs, Do Marr Ciften, Elena's voice circles angular piano chords. With such daring interpretations, the Elina Duni Quartet convincingly puts the intriguing melodies from Albania on the world map. (PdK)more
