The Shukar Collective

The three main men behind hip electronic/world hybrid Shukar Collective are not producers or beat-makers. They are Napoleon, Tamango and Clasic, three Romanian musicians dedicated to preserving the usari music of their Gypsy heritage -- music traditionally used to "tame" bears. Based around voice and percussion (wooden spoons and barrels, for instance), the music is known for its aggression. But it wasn't known far beyond the borders of Romania until producers Lucian Stan and Dan Handrabur heard this trio perform in a Bucharest nightclub and asked them to collaborate on a project that would set their gruff songs to electronic beats. Hardly a fresh proposition, but the men agreed and the collective was born.