Julia Kozakova - Manusa II CD

EAN: 4251329500801

Joy takes center stage on Manuša II, the second album by Júlia Kozáková. “While the driving force behind my first album was the equality of people, here it is joy. The music is infused with it. Joy is reflected in the song selection and in the thoughts behind many of the songs,” says the singer. “I truly hope this album brings much joy to listeners – simple, everyday, quiet, and wild joy,” she wishes her audience.

Manuša means “people” in the Romani language. The Manuša project was born out of a love for Romani music. Júlia Kozáková aims to make the beauty of these traditional sounds accessible to a wider audience. She is accompanied by a cimbalom band of renowned Romani musicians.

Released in 2022, the debut album Manuša is a collection of traditional Romani songs from Slovakia and Central Europe, quickly gaining listeners both at home and abroad. It was awarded the Radio_Head Award 2022 for Best World Music Album, nominated for the Roma Spirit Award for cultural contributions, and suggested by the European platform UpBeat for the Best New Talent Award. Through this project, Romani music has been presented at festivals and concert halls across twelve European countries, including the renowned industry showcase WOMEX 2023.

Manuša II marks the next step on this journey: with great sensitivity and empathy, the album weaves tradition and improvisation, offering an intimate and collective dialogue between past and present. Love, longing, and a subtle melancholy come together to form a coherent whole.

Singer Júlia Kozáková is originally from Slovakia, studied jazz vocals and flamenco in London, Seville, and Brno, and is a member of several choirs and bands (Čhavorenge, Manuša, SOLE, O Gadže Bašaven).

Her musical journey continues: she is currently deepening her artistic expression through a Master’s degree in Contemporary Music Performance at Berklee College.