This Polish trio take their name from the Yiddish word for KrakΓ³w, and much of their inspiration from that city's Jewish neighbourhood of Kazimierz. Three friends who were all studying classical music, but also shared a passion for the improvisational qualities of jazz and folk formed the group in 1992. Over the last decade they have gained a reputation as Europe's leading klezmer outfit. Even so, the term doesn't really encompass the true breadth of their music, which has so far found its way onto six CDs, beginning with the landmark 1996 debut Trio.
Kroke live are a hair-raisingly brilliant, unforgettable experience. Despite their austere and identical clothes (white shirts, black hats and trousers) and a sum greater than its parts, the three musicians communicate distinct musical personalities through virtuosic improvisations which carry the listener into another realm. Jerzy Bawol creates extraordinary note-bending effects on his accordion, Tomasz Lato's bass doubles as a percussion instrument, and Tomasz Kukurba switches between viola and violin, sometimes accompanying himself in eerie abstract vocalisations - even though their songs generally have no words. Though often intensely melancholic, their music can also be festive and playfully humorous.
Their early albums were the most purely klezmer, including songs they'd learnt from vintage recordings or picked up from old Polish and Ukrainian musicians. 2003 has been their most prolific to date, with a fifth and sixth CD produced in quick succession. First came Ten Pieces To Save The World, a rather faltering step into the scary world of original compositions. However, their most recent effort East Meets East is a more confident collaboration with celebrity violinist Nigel Kennedy. It revisits some favourite tunes and ranges well beyond their klezmer roots into central and eastern European as well as Arabic influences, with the help of other guests such as Anglo-Arabian singer Natasha Atlas, Lebanese violinist Aboud Abdoul Aal and the KrakΓ³w Philharmonic orchestra.
Jon Lusk, November 2003
Read other peoples comments
lyngdoh,India
really loved hearing them.
Sun Jul 24 05:34:38 2005
Borsuk
It's a good CD, but I'd recommend also their earlier work. Less commercial, not less joyful.
Fri Feb 4 17:45:17 2005
G Willems, Netherlands
Art with a big A.
Mon Oct 4 21:26:30 2004
anne - the netherlands
Kroke: wonderful music, creative.Highly inspirational
Ignore Nigel Kennedy.Please.
Thu Jul 1 09:14:45 2004
Lynda, New Zealand
One of the best C.D's I have heard for a very long time.
It raises the hairs on the back of the neck. It takes me to where I feel I belong.
Fri Feb 20 13:02:22 2004
dereck
Marc - forget about cd with Nigel Kennedy! Listen to their "normal" records - specially the last one "Ten Pieces to Save The World"! It's really unique, with so much imagination, that you can't... imagine :) It WAS klezmer band, now it's something much more :-)
Sat Jan 31 17:42:24 2004
Mario
Greait music!!! polish sounds are the best!!
Fri Jan 30 11:07:18 2004
Derek, Toronto, Canada
I got the "East Meets East" CD from my brother in Poland a few months ago, and I can't get it out of my car's CD player. It's infectious melodies, melancholy yet exuberant rhythms, virtuouso performances by all involved but especially by Nigel Kennedy(who now makes Krakow his home via his marriage to
a Polish girl). A superb example of accessible yet high
quality World Music at its best. Highly recommended!
Fri Jan 30 06:19:34 2004
Andrew Oughton
Try and listen to an earlier track from 'World 2000' comp. called Time it is absorbing
Thu Jan 29 23:01:25 2004
marc
kroke's new album's obviously just a commercial product. it shouldn't be considered as a "nominee" at all.
Mon Jan 26 01:40:01 2004
Tomasz
Unorthodox fusion of cultures and traditions. Not to be missed !!
Wed Jan 21 22:13:37 2004
Ania
they are unforgettable, there is so much real life in every note they play!
Wed Jan 14 14:51:45 2004
Indjana
Very unique, innovative, surprising music that you can discover many times.
Fri Jan 9 23:51:29 2004
Olia
I heard them in Carcow last summer and was awed! Upon returning to the US with their CD I felt like lending it to the local radio station - just for the sake of sharing the joy of listening to a superb group. On second thought, however, I decided that the risk of parting with one of my most favorite possessions was too big...
Wed Jan 7 19:16:37 2004
Alvarado
Good, mysterious, pounding beat, which mesmerizes, as it intrigues the listener. A beautiful, inticing listening experience.
Sat Jan 3 18:42:21 2004
