Review by John Offord in Fiddle On Magazine, Issue 28 (Winter / Spring 2009):

"In the Slavic languages "Ajde" means "come on" or "let's go", an invitation to dance to a "Gadje" (a non Gypsy), and this CD is certainly an inspiration to do so. The London Gypsy Orchestra is run by Gundula Gruen and consists of over 40 singers and musicians playing all kinds of instruments, especially violins, with piano accordions, plucked and blown instruments and percussion, as well as a cymbalom (hammered dulcimer). The CD is a tour through Eastern Europe, where traditionally most folk musicians are Gypsies and it is a feast of music and song (nearly all the tracks have singers). All the music is arranged, sometimes with a slow mysterious introduction, leading into dance melodies. My favourite track, (at the moment) is the "Romanian Medley". The music is haunting, surprising, vigorous, even funny and will make you feel both sad and elated (sometimes at the same time). I cannot wait to see this ensemble in concert in London at the end of March".

All pieces are arranged by Gundula Gruen and the London Gypsy Orchestra. Most are from traditional songs, with the exception of “Bubamara” by the
No Smoking Orchestra (No 8) and excerpts from “Monti Czardas” by Vittorio Monti (in No 12). © 2007

Performers: London Gypsy Orchestra
Director and Producer: Gundula Gruen
Cover Design: Paintings by Rima Staines and Kara Kovacev, design by Sasha (t-raid.com)
Photographs: Steve Cooper
Recording and Mix: James Shannon, Andrew Mellor
Mastering: ASC Studios, Ankara, Turkey
Manufacturing: Splitpixel Media, The Media Centre, 7 Northumberland St, Huddersfield , HD1 1RL
  t: 01484 483093 | e: [email protected] | www.splitpixelmedia.co.uk
Recording: 16th Dec 2007 at the Warehouse Studios, London & 15th Nov 2008 at St Gabriel's Church, Wanstead.