Finding musick in strife-ridden Kosovo has been an
adventure. Clashes between the Serbs & the Kosovar in border areas still
continues. Although Yugoslav authorities like to speak of ‘stabilization’,
there is still the wounds of ethnic animosity, religious turmoil, &
political problems that are fresh & bleeding. Amidst it all there are some
great musicians trying to aide the healing or to soothe away the pain with
their art. One of the earliest is…
Gjurmët was
formed in 1980 by Migjen Kelmendi – vocals & rhythm guitar. He is the son
of the writer & journalist Ramiz Kelmendi. Migjen was deeply inspired by New
Wave music that was prevalent in the late 70s & early 80s. The original
lineup included: Migjen; Bekim Dyla - lead guitar; Armando Gjini – piano &
synthesizer; Tomor Kurshumliu - bass & vocals; & Petrit Riza – drums.
and Bekim Dyla. That same year, the band recorded the first New Wave song in Kosovo.
In 1984, the band recorded the material for their debut
album, however, it wasn’t until 1985 that the album was released. The
reason for the delay of the release was the ‘controversial album cover’ which
featured dancers performing the traditional Albanian Eagle Dance, making a
shape of a double-headed eagle with their posture. The Communist
Party felt the cover was not politically correct. Eventually, the album was released by Radio
Television of Pristina, on compact cassette only. It featured the band photo on
the front cover on which Kelmendi is looking at his wrist watch as a comment on
the release delay. The album featured a unique blend of New Wave, post-punk
& Kosovar folk music. The following year, in 1986, the band
disbanded. In 2002, a compilation album LP featuring a collection of material the band had recorded in the
course of the 1980s was released.
Gjurmët – Gjurmët compact cassette, RTP K 31002,
1985.
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Side A –
Eja (Te Shkojme Ne Prishtine)
O Moj
Kenga Ime E Pa Kenduar
Nji Grusht Qershi
Side B –
Ne Tren Per Perzeren
Kaqurrelja
Era
Vjet Per Vjet
Genc Salihu is a musician from Prishtina, Kosovo. He has
been interested in musick since his early childhood, when he began writing his
first songs. He began playing guitar in his first band at the age thirteen. He
is also the former vocalist for Cute Babulja. After seven years absence from
public performance, he released Kangë e venë, which you can listen to
here.
Working closely with young intelligent musicians & videographers has kept Salihu immersed in the process of creating fresh & poignant artistry. Genc says the new work is about cleansing, internal & external cleansing of our being.
The video for the song “Rrugëve” (Roads), which was directed
by Kaltrina Krasniqi took the top prize in the Music Video Fest 2011, an Albanian
video competition considered the ultimate in all the Albanian territories.
Artists collaborating on Kangë E Venë are: Genc Salihu – electric guitar, acoustic guitar, vocals, & keyboards; Armend Xhaferi – electric guitar & drums (track 4); Petrit Çeku – classical guitar; Visar Kuçi – bass & contrabass; Fraim Gashi – contrabass; Liburn Jupolli – keyboards; Shpend Ballata – violin; Festim Fanaj – violin; Erlinda Gashi – violin; Dardan Osmanaj – violin; Avni Thaqi – violin; Arsim Mustafa – violin; Yllza Baftiari – viola; Arianit Shehu – viola; Amanta Istrefi – cello; Nesim Maxhuni – drums.
Artists collaborating on Kangë E Venë are: Genc Salihu – electric guitar, acoustic guitar, vocals, & keyboards; Armend Xhaferi – electric guitar & drums (track 4); Petrit Çeku – classical guitar; Visar Kuçi – bass & contrabass; Fraim Gashi – contrabass; Liburn Jupolli – keyboards; Shpend Ballata – violin; Festim Fanaj – violin; Erlinda Gashi – violin; Dardan Osmanaj – violin; Avni Thaqi – violin; Arsim Mustafa – violin; Yllza Baftiari – viola; Arianit Shehu – viola; Amanta Istrefi – cello; Nesim Maxhuni – drums.
Genc Salihu – Kangë E Venë, Dit' E Nat'
Libra – 002, 2011.
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Tracklist –
Rrugëve
Lufta Asht Bahçe
Çelu
Krejt Andrrën
ICU
Family Portrait (Prej Filmit)
Shejë
Kangë E Venë
I Dalun M'i Gomar
Ujku Don Mjegull
Flej
I have included a few bonus songs with the Genc material;
a live version of “Wish You Were Here” he performed at his
Dit 'e Nat' club; &
the song “Shabani” by The Bloody Foreigners featuring Genc
(The Bloody Foreigners are :Fatos Bejta; Fatos Derguti; Ardi
Kelmendi [brother of the founder of Gjurmët]
& Josef Cook. They are Kosovar living & playing music in the UK who
frequently work with fellow Kosovo musicians).
Another prolific musician from Prishtina, Kosovo is Liburn
Jupolli. He has been involved in numerous bands & musical projects. He
played bass in well-known Kosovo band Madgod. He played keyboards on the
previous entry, Kangë E Venë.
Involve in various D.E.D. projects have been: Liburn Jupolli - synths ,
electronics (laptops, midi controllers, custom built devices) & guitar;
Timur Xhabiri - vocals, electronics (laptop, kaoss pad, midi controllers) &
theremin; Labinot Kelmendi – vocals;
Morena Kabashi Kokollari – vocals; Adonis Kasneci – guitar; Senad Jamini – guitar; Blerta Kosova- vocals & Almir Fazlievic –Octo – electronics (laptop, midi controllers) & guitar.
Morena Kabashi Kokollari – vocals; Adonis Kasneci – guitar; Senad Jamini – guitar; Blerta Kosova- vocals & Almir Fazlievic –Octo – electronics (laptop, midi controllers) & guitar.
This is a sneak-preview of a new concept from D.E.D. These
songs in particular are part of a project in 6-parts that will encompass 6
different cds.
decryption code in comments
“Invitation to Obscurity” - from the 2nd cd
called Slow Manors, Fast Boxing
“Pregnant She-Wolf” - from the 3rd cd called A.W.
“Grigori & the House” - from the 5th cd
called Bow Down or Die Trying To
“Haunted Beings of Prypat” - from the 6th cd
called Air Raids, Nuclear Times, Good Times
Enjoy,NØ
Gjurmët
ReplyDeletebpdIuV1dOy9bigVZrIleLnfFwPsUmMnvcj2wT4IonZM
Genc Salihu
AsgYxHnRLISwYWHWIlbSLUg0QvAvoedq1TXtwAz2u2Q
D.E.D.
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