Album: Amira and Merima Kljuco, Zumra (World Village)

This album's roots lie deep in the Balkan tradition of sevdah, the urban folk music of Bosnia-Herzegovina, which touches on sadness, but is mostly about making love by moonlight.

Amira – "Bosnia's Billie Holiday" – joins forces with accordionist Merima Kljuco to create new realms of expression with her simple-seeming, bitter-sweet approach. Kljuco's playing – rich in atmospherics – takes many forms and constantly springs surprises, and together they create a uniquely beguiling sound.