Various Artists - Bulgarian Folk Horos and Ruchenitsas (Balkanton) (Year Unknown)

We return from a break last week with some delightful Bulgarian folk music put out by the state-owned Balkanton record label in an indecipherable year. Enjoy! 

Full tracklist available right here, courtesy of Folklorediscographies.org

FLAC

(Side 1)

(Side 2)

MP3

Z Kopce - Big Beat (Panton - 1989)

This is a preposterously great record that I picked up today based solely on the cover art and the fact that I couldn't understand any of the liner notes. After doing some research, I've discovered that Z Kopce were a Czech band led by polymath-weirdo Petr Váša. Big Beat was their first record. Angular, playful post-punk with acidic vocals and shades of European avant-garde composition, Big Beat is one of the best records I've ever come across by accident. 

Side 1

Z Kopce

Ono To Nejde

Nuda

Kterou Píšťalku

1000 Způsobů

Side 2

Pohyblivé Cíle

Učitel

Hodiny U Klavíru

FLAC

(Side 1)

(Side 2)

MP3

Vilyat Khan & Bismillah Khan - Duets From India (Capitol - 1967)

Three stunningly beautiful ragas from Vilyat Khan on sitar, Bismillah Khan on shehnai, and Shanta Prasad accompanying them both on tabla. Side two opener "Chaiti-Dhun" is my personal favorite - "a typically lilting folk tune of India's Uttar Pradesh region," according to the liner notes. Joyous and mournful, this record is one of the most enduring pieces of music in my collection. Enjoy. 

Side 1 

Duetto (Jugalbandi)

Side 2

Chaiti - Dhun

Bhairvee - Thumree

FLAC

(Side 1) 

(Side 2)

MP3