Reviews
Reviews
Review in prestigious music magazine Songlines 10/2009
in English
Jan Willem Broek about Lé la
10/2008, originally in Dutch
I can not emphasize enough, but the most adventurous music often comes from the Czech Republic and is usually released on the label Indies from that same country. They mix these days everything from around the world with their wayward folk. A group that has elevated hybrides to an art is Čankišou. The 7-member group is known for its wild mix of ethnic music and rock with energetic rhythms. They have already released 3 albums, a soundtrack and a "best of" in the period 2000-2007. Their latest courageous deed is called Lé La and is undoubtedly their most daring and diverse CD so far. They have been inspired by their trips through countries like Mongolia, Ukraine, Pakistan and India. All members also play in other bands by the way. Besides the singer, also the rest of the group have a part in the singing, which is an energetic and important part of their music is. They create their music with balaphone, accordion, drums, djembe, darbuka, flute, Didgeridoo, saxophone, bass, mandolin and all kinds of percussion instruments. The result includes a mix of music from the Balkans, Africa, Mongolia, Australia, Pakistan and India also with Czech folk, Roma music, throat singing and a children's choir. However, because of the heavy rock which is a constant factor in the music, they have managed to create a consistent album. In the song "Zuha" you hear the famous Pakistani singer Sain Zahoor. To get an impression of their sound you could think of a sum of Uz Jsme Doma, Ahmed Má Hlad, Traband, Fanfare Čiocarlia and Lights In A Fat City. But this is music that you simply must have heard. Fantastic worldrecord!
