“Antics (ft. Alexandros Gagatsis)” (2018) – Monsieur Doumani * CD: Angathin * Label: Monsieur Doumani
Monsieur Doumani is a trio based in Nicosia, Cyprus, and their 2018 Angathin (thorn) is their third official album. On the track called “Antics,” Antonis Antoniou’s tzouras cuts an indomitable groove along with guest Alexandros Gagtsis’s udu drum. Guitarist Angelos Ionas sprinkles mood dust all over it while flautist Demetris Yiasemides flutters overhead like a midnight fruit bat. It’s in Greek, but at :47 it sounds like they’re singing “feeling saddy, yes, I feel so baddy,” giving you the impression that this is some sort of Cypriot blues, created specifically to lift somebody’s spirits.