The group's primary instrumental blend includes acoustic guitar with either Gypsy or Celtic violin, or the Greek bouzouki as the melodic lead, and vast array of percussion. Often, however, the musicians will shift voices introducing the indian sitar or sitara, Flamenco guitar, accordion, penny whistle, and rauschphife, creating rich and exuberant musical textures rarely experienced by western ears.
Drawing from Gypsy, Greek, Spanish, and Celtic traditions while not being bound by them, the group has developed a unique and captivating style. Whether playing actual folk repertoire, or one of their original compositions, E Muzeki brings fresh emotion to ancient musical tradition, drawing listeners of all ages and from every walk of life.
As a result of hundreds of requests (and demands) they recorded their first CD, Mavra Matia, which was released fall of 2003. The album was met with praise and quickly sold out of its first printing of 1,000 copies. Most of the album was recorded live in the studio with very few overdubs capturing the raw essence of the group's genesis.
2005 brought the release of Sindh which contains an interesting blend of traditional music, with original composition, and even a couple covers of modern tunes, including two of their most popular pieces: an exotic instrumental take on Led Zeppelin's classic rock ballad Kashmir, and a raw, folk-like take on the orchestrated theme from the major motion picture Last of the Mohicans.
Now, with their newest self-titled album which has also been pressed on vinyl, E Muzeki attacks their passion at a most personal and intimate level, producing 19 tunes completely composed by the musicians. It also contains their most intense rhythmic elements with an abundance of world percussion instruments including the African djembe, djun, and ashiko, Egyptian doumbek, Turkish darabuka, north Indian tabla, snare drum, castanets and a colorful array of cymbals and bells.
Since the release of their first CD in 2003 they have independently sold over 23,000 copies of their albums, nearly all out-of-hand at live shows. This is a testament to the band's live emotional impact and diverse appeal.
E Muzeki:
Jenny O'Connor
Mark Varelas
