James Poulter: missed the epic live showdowns in London and Brighton last month, but is delighted to be catching up with the Balkan Brass Battle now, reviewing the album due for release on July 12th. Here we encounter two Gypsy bands at the height of their powers, taking Balkan Brass music to dizzying new heights. Loose your belts, let down your hair, and prepare to hit the dancefloor Balkan Gypsy style.

The Boban and Marko Markovic Orkestar hail from Vladicin Han in Serbia, and are descendants of a Gypsy musical dynasty that used to perform even for the Serbian King. Their region is known as the “Trubacka Republika” or “Trumpet Republic”, the heartland of Gypsy brass music in Serbia, and home to almost 30 professional bands. Each year the star musicians compete at the Guca festival, the world's largest trumpet celebration.

Fanfare Ciocaria hail from Zece Prajini in the north east of Romania, a village with a proud and distinguished heritage, and where even today every single villager is Gypsy. “Zece Prajini” literally means “Ten Fields”, and was granted as a gift from the landowner, when slavery of the Roma was still prevalent. But there is a darker side too – the village did not escape the horrors of the Nazi persecution.

Put these two bands together on one album and it is like an explosion of talent, history, energy and technique. Oh – and a great deal of fun. The track “James Bond Theme” alone is enough to make this release a must have, taking the well worn tune to previously unheard of heights.

Balkan Brass Battle is superbly arranged and produced. The back to back renditions of Duke Ellington's “Caravan” present clearly the distinctive yet complementary qualities of each ensemble. “Devla” is powerful and inspiring. “I am Your Gummy bear” is joyous and uplifting. “Otpisari” is broad and expansive.

Balkan Brass Battle takes you on a vivid journey through the wide open spaces of the Gypsy brass band tradition. I challenge you to put on this album and not dance