Title: Balkan Brass Battle Boban & Marko Markovic Orchestra verses Fanfare Ciocarlia The brass bands of the gypsy communities of eastern Europe provide some of the most rousing music on the planet, and this weekend two of the finest exponents of Balkan brass are in the UK for concerts in which the audience will be asked to decide which is the better band. It won't be easy. Thanks to his extraordinary trumpet work, Boban Markovic, from Serbia, has for years been a legend across the Balkans, and his 13-piece band now includes his son Marko, whose trumpet playing and singing has brought him the status of a gypsy rock star. Performing against them are the 12-piece Fanfare Ciocarlia from Romania, famous for their exhilarating rapid-fire playing and skill at playfully mixing western influences with traditional themes. Two months ago, as a warm-up, the two bands got together to record this exuberant, high-energy set, which includes a stirring treatment of the James Bond theme from Fanfare Ciocarlia, and both bands providing sturdy, rhythmic arrangements of Duke Ellington's Caravan. Fanfare are narrowly ahead for their energy, the Markovic band score well for their solos, but the best tracks are those where they join together in an exhilarating wall of sound. Titles   1. Battle Call Boban & Marko Markovic Orchestra verses Fanfare Ciocarlia 2. Mrak Kolo Boban & Marko Markovic Orchestra 3. Suita a la Coibanas Fanfare Ciocarlia 4. James Bond Theme Boban & Marko Markovic Orchestra verses Fanfare Ciocarlia 5. Caravan Fanfare Ciocarlia 6. Caravan Boban & Marko Markovic Orchestra 7. Devla Boban & Marko Markovic Orchestra verses Fanfare Ciocarlia 8. Topdzijsko Kolo Boban & Marko Markovic Orchestra 9. Dances from the Monastery Hills Fanfare Ciocarlia 10. Disco Dzumbus Boban & Marko Markovic Orchestra verses Fanfare Ciocarlia 11. I am your gummy bear Fanfare Ciocarlia 12. Otpisani Boban & Marko Markovic Orchestra 13. Asfalt Tango Boban & Marko Markovic Orchestra verses Fanfare Ciocarlia