"What city what country is this stage I am on?" Asks Roman Iagupov on the track "Gypsy Life" from the new Zdob si Zdob album titled "Basta Mafia!". And it's no surprise being that Zdob si Zdub are in the truest sense of the word an "international" band. Constantly on the move crossing borders from country to country on never ending tours.
From their humble beginnings as a Moldavian folk influenced ska-punk band, they've easily layered a true world mix of highly innovative listenable music with electronica dance and alt rock muscle without loosing any of their core roots. The band has propelled not once but twice to the high ranks of the finals of the Eurovision song contest. This year achieving this feat with the song "So Lucky" from the new Asphalt Tango release "Basta Mafia!". Their appearance caused a storm of devotion on the internet from every country participating. Even capturing several prominent pop figures including Adele, Plan B producer Paul Epworth who went as far as to tweet ".I just thought it was brilliant and so far removed from the Western European entries .I loved the beautiful eccentricity ...".
But the band didn't just appear out of nowhere from one of Europe's poorest countries to having a audience of 160 million people rocking out to "So Lucky". This "Basta Mafia" track was born from years of touring. The record title alone "Basta Mafia!" deals out a statement in itself of where they come from (the former Soviet Union) to what has become now (another superpower of the underworld) to where they are heading (their own independent route ). So with a sense of irony and humor the title "Basta Mafia!" suggest a stop to the old ways. Not only the political but also the musical and mental ways.
To make the break from old the band went to record in the ever transformative city of Berlin Germany. The city that in turn transformed the likes of David Bowie, Iggy Pop, U2, Peaches, Bonaparte and countless others. In Berlin's cross cultural talent pool the boys worked with Marc Elsner as their new innovative producer. New York's Andy Schuman was also brought in to help bring Roman's vision of the songs to English. This multicultured combination of talents has led to Zdob Si Zdub's most ambitious and accessible piece of work yet. "Basta Mafia!" is a monster of a record that grows and swells upon multible listenings. Enjoy...
Musicians
Zdob si Zdub
Roman Iagupov - lead vocals
Mihail Gincu - bass guitar, percussion, piano, acoustic guitar, keyboard, organ, sitar, mandolin, back vocals
Sveatoslav Status - electric guitar, acoustic guitar
Andrei Cebotari - drums, percussion
Victor Dandes - trombone, caval, flute
Valeriu Mazilu - trumpet, cimpoi
Guests
Aliona Triboi - back vocals (1, 3, 4, 6), violin (track 3, 6, 12)
Olga Pascal - back vocals (1)
Katrin Ringling - back vocals (10) at Studioul muzical-coral "Lia-Ciocîrlia"
Marc Elsner - synth (2), programming sample keyboards (4, 13), back vocals (4), 12 string acoustic guitar (6)
Radu Mihaiescu, Ruslan Cebotari - trumpet
Alexandru Iancu, Mihail Postolachi - tenor horn
Dumitru Tapalaga - tuba
Veaceslav Veste - baritone horn (9, 12, 13)
Octavian Saran - clarinet (13)