Branko Galoić: Above The Roofs auf CD

*** Digibook

"Above The Roofs" is an album full of warmth and of surprising maturity. This is a proper, serious album, where the playing oozed professionalism and musical dexterity. One could've recognised some famous players in Branko's style, both in his electric and acoustic numbers, but his tone is nonetheless very impressive and definitely his own. In an organic combination with his stunning drummer and a keyboard player, Branko has produced an album quite different from the place it was made in. Branko and Dragi have had enough time to think properly both about the musical direction and about the people they would like to see playing on the record. Their contribution to "Above the roofs", Branko's first vocal album, simply can't be overestimated. Better yet: there is an almost Babylonian mixture of nationalities here, if we take a look at the backgrounds of the musicians who played on the record - a thing which could've happened only here in Amsterdam. Bassist Richard Degener, whose band served as a core of Branko's own band in its current form; great guest musicians, like virtuoso accordionist and clarinettist Mustafa Santic and Nedjo Kovacevic on violin (Bosnian members of Mostar Sevdah Reunion); Dutch musicians such as drummer Casper Gimbrere, saxophonist Chris Corstens; and Udo Dermans, a German percussionist specialised in Turkish, South American, Spanish...