"Here is the unmistakable sound of the Balkans, full of spirit, romance, and life. ...If only the people of the Balkans, not just the music-makers, would listen to the common threads that are so plainly obvious in their music!"

Project website


• Everyone working on this project over the past 6 months has given their time or materials to make this release possible. These contributions have made it possible to sell the disc in stores for $12 or less while cutting costs to an absolute minimum. Please help us and spread the word about this benefit CD that presents the music from the region where the money will be spent.
  
  
• Doctors Without Borders / Médecins Sans Frontières, the world's largest independent emergency medical relief organization, delivers medical aid to victims of war, epidemics, and natural disasters, without discrimination and irrespective of race, religion, creed, or political affiliation. Call (888) 392-0392 or write to PO Box 2247, New York, NY 10016-2247 USA. All net profits to Omnium from the sale of this release will be donated to Médecins Sans Frontières.
  
  
• As of January 2003, the project has raised over $18,500.
  
  
• Balkans Without Borders was produced by Zoetek World Radio. (www.zoetek.com).

• "I just love the energy of this CD...I never knew that Balkan weavers could rock out like that!" -- Ned Wharton, director of NPR's Weekend Edition (Sunday) [[listen to the review with samples)]
  
  
• "Mesmerizing..." -- Billboard (Sept. 25, 1999)
  
  
• "...one of those rare compilations that's ever-varying and ear-catching but somehow hangs together, flowing naturally as it unveils its fresh pleasures. ...a shining beacon in today's sea of samplers." -- Andrew Cronshaw, Folk Roots (UK) [[read the complete review]
  
  
• "Bombs can't erase the Balkan region's historical contributions to world culture. This compilation of the region's contemporary music seethes with vitality and passion." -- Keith Goetzman Utne Reader, November-December 1999
  
  
• "Fed up with compilations that play it safe? This bracing collection is the remedy." -- Mark Schwartz, barnesandnoble.com
  
  
• "If what you want is a contemporary take on music from the Balkans region, look no further. This charity compilation (profits go to Doctors Without Borders) features 21 tracks of high-energy music that draws from both folk roots and modern energy to provide a nonstop playlist. It is likely to leave most listeners breathless by the end. Balkans Without Borders is a bargain for the listener, and a good cause to boot. -- Steven McDonald, All Music Guide
  
  
• "Taken as a whole, it clearly shows the shared musical and cultural heritage that all of the people of the Balkans share, a heritage that, given the current violence of the region, is that much more heartbreaking to witness." -- Folk Tales
  
  
• "...a powerful brew of impassioned singing and fiery playing..." --  Capital Times (Madison WI)
  
  
• "The producers of Balkans Without Borders have done a wonderful job representing the fractured present of one of the world's most fertile musical crossroads. This CD is one small step toward creating a future in which the peoples of the Balkans can co-exist as effortlessly and productively as the music that they hold in common." -- Tom Pryor, CDNow
  
  
• "Sharp trills, lilting melodies and rhythms reminiscent of Arabic music all combine in a celebratory burst which captures the spirit of soul music as it mirrors the best elements of swing and rock 'n' roll." -- Bill Snyder, Skyway News (Minneapolis MN)