Mostar Sevdah Reunion was founded in 1993 by a number of experienced artists in the Bosnian city of Mostar. Initially, the musicians wanted to forget the war that was then raging in the former Yugoslavia. The band members agreed that when the war was over, the rest of the world would also get to know their music. That music is the 'sevdah', calm melancholic songs with Turkish sounding influences.
The roots of this music are partly in Turkey and were taken by the Ottomans when they conquered the Balkans in the Middle Ages. Mostar Sevdah Reunion has played with renowned artists such as Saban Bajramovic and Ljiljana Buttler before. Café Sevdah proves that the group can also deliver an excellent album without imposing guests. According to the band itself, this is a great album for a strong cup of black coffee, but Café Sevdah does not look bad with a good glass of wine. Highlights are the slow opener Sinoc Sam Ti Safo Dvoru Dolazio and the playful Cuban-sounding Cije Je Ono Djevojce. (PdK)more
