November 1, 2012
Dorian Ford on Jazz and Roots at the St James Studio
The power of Mavrika’s identity lies in the fact that Mavrika is as much a London band as a Greek band. The folkloric roots of rembetika (urban Greek music from the 1920s) are placed so centrally in the sound and the band’s approach so as to give this music absolute integrity, but even more importantly, life and vitality. Singer Katina Kangaris, and guitar/bouzouki player Chris Morphitis, have been collaborating for many years,experimenting with all sorts of music, and now have paired down their collaborative technique to this most vital of roots music. What we’re going to get on Friday 9th, is a warm, passionate and vibrant atmosphere, with humour, story telling, deep rembetika grooves, and the focus and charisma that you can only get from a true diva, who connects to the soul of rembetika music. Every time I’ve seen this band, I’ve been struck be the warm feel good party vibes together with great musicianship.
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