From our first issue of Grafter magazine, a snippet from 'Who are Batov Records?'
What makes obscure music so obscure? What exactly is world music? And who are Batov Records?
Well, Batov Records are a London-based independent music label.
They aren’t just that though, they are so much more, they have a collective of worldly music. Bringing a refreshing eccentricity to music with roots based in delicate folk, gypsy-jazz, electro blues, Balkan bass and Greek disco. That’s certainly different.
Now, their music isn’t for everyone. But everyone should be listening. It is superb. These artists have such a cool insight into music, using classic ranges from around the world that also create a modern outreach. Reminiscing to the 1960s for experimentation. Yet merging motifs of familiarity while bringing something completely different. Having first heard of the band Sababa Five through Radio 6’s Gideon Coe, I was hooked. The sounds transport you with an Indian feel that also bring a space like atmosphere.
Sababa Five are a group of four musicians drawing influences from the sounds of 1960s wrecking crew. 1970s groove, embedded with classic Middle Eastern Israeli and Mediterranean origins. The band constantly move in between genres but there is an atmosphere driven by the force of groove.
Gypsy Hill are a folk style band with a blues background. An evocative mixture of sounds developed in genres of Balkan bass, Mediterranean surf rock, ska and swing. A compelling traditional mix of folk that balances effortlessly with modern electronic beats, scratch DJ, horns and guitars. Behind Gypsy Hill are producers DJ Kobayashi and Herbert Newbert. Both have a wide experience of remixes for Balkan Beat Box, Al Jawala and a special feature on Ninja Tune’s Ninja Jamm app.
To read the rest, buy Grafter magazine.
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