Esma Redzepova

Chaje Shukarije is an exercise in versatility. Macedonian diva Redzepova is comfortable with both the mournful ballads ("Hajri Ma Te Dike") and feverish dances (see "Abre Ramce," featuring the Klezmatics' Frank London) of traditional Roma music. She's also not afraid to take risks, flirting with Afro-pop on the second track and working the soulful swagger of "Nasvali So Uljum" like a Balkan Barry White. And then there's that voice, baby. She keens and belts, croons and cajoles, sasses and seduces -- and that's just the title track. They don't call her the Queen of the Gypsies for nothing.