| Czech band Cankisou became famous in the Czech Republic and also abroad for its concerts full of energy and wild rhythms. Concerts run by singer Karel Herman who is very impressive not only because of his voice but also his figure become wild dance parties few minutes after beginning. Cankisou mixes influences from various ethnics with rock roots and with its rich collection of exotic instruments travels the world from Réunion island in an Indian ocean to Pakistan. Cankisou was established at a Christmas party in 1999 by rock musicians. They put together various exotic and common rock instruments and started to explore world music field which was completely new for them at that time. Cankisou music is based on an old legend aboutone legged Canki people and the band also learnt their language. Within nearly 10 years of existence the band has become one of the top world music bands in the Czech republic and has travelled 14 countries so far. 
Cankisou published several successful CD´s: first CD called Music of the Canki people (Hudba lidu Canki, 2000) is full of energy and passion from new meeting with world music. More thoughtful Dense ju (2002) includes tittle Mongolian folk song, which was brought by singer Karel Herman from a festival in Mongolia. Third Gamagaj (2004) is inspired by a book Baudolino by Umberto Eco (all by FT Records). New CD called Le La was published in spring 2008 by Indies Scope Records. The CD is inspired mainly by many long journeys and fusions with local musicians the band did in previous two years. Pakistan singer Sain Zahoor performs in a song called Zuha as a guest on the CD. According to the internationally respected Czech world music journalist Jiri Moravcik Le la is the Best Czech world music CD in 2008. The band was also nominated for Czech version of Grammy called Andel 2008 in world music category. The band has several videos out now – Sham Sut (2000) from the first CD and Anay Yo (2005) from Gamagaj CD. Zuha (2008) which is on Lé La CD was shot in Pakistan and Sain Zahoor appears there. The last video Borrega (2009) is animated and was made by students from film schools. All the videos are broadcasted also by American Link TV. Cankisou has already performed in 14 countries: Sziget 2010 in Hungary, Culture of Rhythm 2010 in Poland, Maalmikula 2008 in Estonia, Rainbowpark festival 2009, Amsterdam Roots Festival 2007 and Wereldfest 2007 in Netherlands, World Performing and Visual Arts festival 2005 and 2007 in Pakistan, Manapany Surf Festival 2006 on Réunion island, Svirzh World Music festival 2009, Sheshory 2005 and 2007, Krainy Mriy 2004 in Ukraine, Klaipeda Jazz festival 2005 in Lithuania etc. In 2007 a book with soundtrack Ukopnuty palec aneb Pribehy lidu Canki was released. It´s a collection of 13 stories about Canki people by 13 authors. The soundtrack consists of 13 songs where each one is inspired by one story and composed by one of the Cankisou musician. Cankisou did severeal fusions with foreign artists: Sain Zahor (Pakistan 2005 and 2007) and Suriya Khanam (Pakistan 2007) from Pakistan, Rajery from Madagaskar (Czech republic 2009). Singer Karel Herman was awarded second place at an international music festival Chuch Mongolia 2001 /Blue Mongolia/ in Mongolia. David Synak in cooperation with Theatre Continuo took part in EXPO 2005 exhibiton in Japan. ...They mix these days everything from around the world with their wayward folk. A group that has elevated hybrides to an art is Čankišou....The result includes a mix of music from the Balkans, Africa, Mongolia, Australia, Pakistan and India also with Czech folk, Roma music, throat singing and a children's choir. However, because of the heavy rock which is a constant factor in the music, they have managed to create a consistent album. In the song "Zuha" you hear the famous Pakistani singer Sain Zahoor. To get an impression of their sound you could think of a sum of Uz Jsme Doma, Ahmed Má Hlad, Traband, Fanfare Čiocarlia and Lights In A Fat City. But this is music that you simply must have heard. Fantastic worldrecord!
Jan Willem Broek
...Music which doesn´t respect any borders, rhythmical tornado, loads of unusual instruments and singer Karel Herman who is not possible to overlook. Charming tours into countries which are not explored yet are becoming more and more often...
Jiri Moravcik ...Cankisou takes inspiration from all the part of the world. It can be influence of the biggest brassband in an Indian ocean, Pakistan music, songs from Mongolian steppe, Balkan or Romanian folk songs but there´s always one common thing: riveting rhythms...
Petr Michal The band is:
Karel Herman - vocals
Zdenek Kluka - vocals, drums, percussions, balafon, accordion
Jan Kluka – vocals, drums, djembe, percussions, tarabuka, yarin
David Synak – vocals, flutes, didjeridoo, altsaxofon, sopransaxofon, jinagovi
Roman Mrazek – vocals, bassquitar
Rene Senko – vocals, tenorsaxofon
Martin Krajicek - vocals, quitar, mandoline
Website: www.cankisou.cz www.myspace.com/cankisou www.youtube.com/cankisou Distributors: XMD (Netherlands, Belgium) Discovery Records (U.K.) Serpent (Poland) Xavier Records (Japan) AND
The Orchard (digital - the worldwide) |