Saban Bajramovic

• Gypsy Legend [Times Square, 2001] A-

Consumer Guide Reviews:

Gypsy Legend [Times Square, 2001]
Because Marshall Tito's Yugoslavia encouraged more recording than madman Nicolae Ceausescu's Romania, this Serbian icon has a catalogue that awaits compilation. But just in case his master recordings proved casualties of war, in 1999 some culturally enlightened Dutchmen had him reprise a few hits. Roughened by 63 years of hard living, Bajramovic's voice has lost glide and thrust here, but even in his wild youth he was no breast-beater--his persona was unruly, his manner suave. Balancing Balkan accordion-violin-clarinet and Gypsy swing is Bosnia's Mostar Sevdah Reunion band. "Sevdah" is an Arabic word said to mean "love, desire or ecstasy." Those feelings do get around. A-