Album: Various artists, Balkan Fever London (Kazum / Grand Queen)

Sometimes UK-based global acts get a rough deal because what's on your doorstep somehow isn't "exotic" enough for the world-music purists.

But for Balkan/gypsy music, the balance at least gets redressed a little here. I've certainly discovered a few new acts from listening to this rousing compilation that I'll be checking out live at the first opportunity. For, on the whole, these are real brass and accordion-driven bands kicking real arse, not sterile studio projects utilising credibility-enhancing samples.