Album Notes

The Los Angeles Times calls Eastern Blok’s music “relentlessly innovative work.” Downbeat Magazine claims that “the ensemble playing is often breakneck and consistently challenging.” Acoustic Guitar Magazine raves that Eastern Blok plays with “blazing virtuosity and sheer beauty.” After performing over 100 shows a year and selling thousands of records, the band formerly known as The Goran Ivanovic Group has recorded a new album, changed their name, and has been successfully packing venues throughout the country since the release of their self-titled debut album in 2005. Eastern Blok’s “extraordinary pan-cultural ensemble effortlessly blends classical and jazz music with the rich folkloric traditions of Macedonia, Bulgaria, and Serbia. The resulting music is as alluring as it is complex. Exotic Middle Eastern motifs merge gracefully with the evocative sounds of Eastern European Klezmer music. Beautifully conceived folk passages are followed by perfectly executed Mahavishnu-inspired pyrotechnics. The passion and urgency at which this group plays is heard in every note on this remarkable musical offering” (Minor 7th Magazine). From appearing on NPR to headlining the World Music Festival, Eastern Blok works without borders and it’s reflected in their dynamic music. The band’s “Blacksmith’s Dance” was selected out of thousands of submissions to be one of three finalists in the 2005 John Lennon Songwriting Competition. This past year brought them much acclaim due to their performance on Chicago Public Radio’s “Chicago Undercover.” Eastern Blok’s sophomore release, Folk Tales, features compositions that juxtapose a somber and serious sound with a lively and elusive beat. The group features classical guitar virtuoso Goran Ivanovic, who teamed up with Doug Rosenberg on saxophone and flute, Matthew Ulery on bass, and Michael Caskey, a five-time Detroit Music Award and Downbeat Magazine Award winner, on drums. Listen to their mellifluous, intricate new compositions at www.easternblok.net.