"Raving Polka" aka Limpopo, some of whose members got their start in Moscow 23 years ago, deliver dynamic folk music, including Russian dance, that bring an electricity to the air that commands attention. Their music has been featured in major motion pictures and on television.



Limpopo history:
Limpopo has its origins in Moscow since 1986. This group toured the former Soviet Union performing in some of its more famous theaters. At the peak of Limpopo’s fame there, Yuri & Igor emigrated to the United States with only two of the original cast at his heels. In 1991, Limpopo reformed in the States as a four-member folk and comedy troupe. They were very successful performing for audiences of all ages across Canada and the United States at music and comedy festivals, children’s festivals, clubs, and college campuses. In 1993, they competed on and won the Ed McMahon’s International Star Search band competition. In 1995, they showcased at The National Association for Campus Activities convention in Boston where over 150 colleges signed up to bring the band to their campuses! They were voted by readers of Campus Activities Today magazine as "Best Music Act for 1995". They were nominated for Group of the Year at the 1996 Kerrville Music Awards. They were featured in a long running national TV ad for KIT KAT candy bars which became a tongue-in-cheek anthem for them. L.A.’s number one watched news program, KTLA Morning News, featured a live interview and performance of Limpopo and the Los Angeles Music Center on Tour proudly touts Limpopo as one of their most popular and celebrated artists.
Recently, Limpopo has recorded music for a motion pictures. Their music is part of “Icon” May 30th. 2005 with Patrick Swayze, “Melcolm In The Middle” 2005 with “Traffic In Moscow” song, ” Euro Trip” 2004" Blade 2 " 2002 " 15 Minutes " with Robert De Nero,"Armageddon

", "Somewhere in the City" starring Sandra Bernhardt and " Death By Pizza". Velvel Records has released the soundtrack for "Somewhere In The City"."Happy Face" with Ann Margaret and Henry Thomas, 1999. Limpopo has also written music for the Christmas Parade at the Universal Studios, 1998. Mark Mothersbaugh, of DEVO and one of today’s top television and film composers, frequents local Limpopo shows and enthusiastically signed up to be on Limpopo’s mile long mailing list. Even Ronald and Nancy Reagan have enjoyed Limpopo’s celebration in music during a private welcoming party for the Gorbachevs. Special appearance for Paul Allen’s birthday with Bill Gates. The great Peter Ustinov loves Limpopo so much, he had them play at his own birthday party. Limpopo joined royalty when they entertained Julie Andrews and invited guests on her grand estate in Malibu. Jonathan Densmore, of the Doors, thought Limpopo so entertaining during one of their outdoor concerts, he slapped them a hefty check and was one of the first to join the ever-growing list of Limpopo fans everywhere.A song " In The Garden " from the fourth album " Limpopo Unplugged " made it to the final at the John Lennon Songwriring Contest .
Limpopo’s show is a natural blend of rich, energetic Russian folk music, phenomenal original jazz and blues compositions, with some of the most breathtaking vocal arrangements ever heard. Limpopo’s mesmerizing, dynamic and outrageous dancing and magnificent costumes highlight each note and brighten every step. One can’t help but love the high energy and spirit-raising phenomena that is Limpopo.

Igor Khramov on trombones, percussion, balalaika, bass balalaika & vocals.


Lou Fanucchi on Accordion, vocals in Julida.

Dean Roubicek on clarinet & sax.

Rasputin on drums.


Leo Chelyapov on clarinet - Raving Beer Polka, Hoop-Dee-Doo instrumental.

From the liner notes:
This project brought talent from all over Southern California.
Recorded at Igor's studio.
Produced by Igor Khramov
Mixing & Editing by Igor Khramov
Mastering by Rasputin."

Album review by Rob Savickis:

Raving Polka's band members have been around since the early 90's and have played with major actsd all over the United States and Canada at 100's of places including the Kerrville Folk Fest, Bethlehem Music Fest, California World Fest and the Edmonton Folk Fest. You may have heard their music in movies and TV shows like "Euro Trip", "Blade II", "Malcolm In The Middle" and "Armageddon".

Raving Polka was created as a subset of the band Limpopo www.limpopo.com . Limpopo has its origins in Moscow since 1986. This group toured the former Soviet Union performing in some of its more famous theaters. At the peak of Limpopo’s fame there, Yuri & Igor emigrated to the United States with only two of the original cast at his heels. In 1991, Limpopo reformed in the States as a four-member folk and comedy troupe. They were very successful performing for audiences of all ages across Canada and the United States at music and comedy festivals, children’s festivals, clubs, and college campuses. In 1993, they competed on and won the Ed McMahon’s International Star Search band competition. In 1995, they showcased at The National Association for Campus Activities convention in Boston where over 150 colleges signed up to bring the band to their campuses! They were voted by readers of Campus Activities Today magazine as "Best Music Act for 1995". They were nominated for Group of the Year at the 1996 Kerrville Music Awards. They were featured in a long running national TV ad for KIT KAT candy bars which became a tongue-in-cheek anthem for them. L.A.’s number one watched news program, KTLA Morning News, featured a live interview and performance of Limpopo and the Los Angeles Music Center on Tour proudly touts Limpopo as one of their most popular and celebrated artists.

Based in southern California, the "Noize One" album features Lou Fanucchi on Accordion, and vocals in Julida, Dean Roubicek on clarinet & sax, Rasputin on drums, Leo Chelyapov on clarinet - Raving Beer Polka, Hoop-Dee-Doo instrumental and Igor Khramov on trombones, percussion, balalaika, bass balalaika & vocals.

Recorded in 2009, Raving Polka "Noize 1" is a unique album they have dedicated to polka music lovers all over the world. I have heard many many bands do versions of the traditional "Clarinet Polka" and Raving Polka's version (Track #5) compares favorably with any of them, as do Julida, the Raving Beer (Barrel) Polka, Lichtensteiner Polka, Pennsylvania Polka, Hoop Dee Doo, and the Too Fat Polka. I especially like the beginning of the Pennsylvania Polka.

What truly makes this album special however is the way Raving Polka integrates these polka classics with some beautiful waltzes and musettes that truly give the album heart and show off the extraordinary talent this group posesses, especially with their mastering of the accordion. I have listened to Musette A La Mode, the California Waltz, and Domino over and over again. These are truly beautiful tracks and I am sure I will listen to them hundreds of more times. Along the same lines, there are tracks at the Raving Polka Myspace site www.myspace.com/ravingpolka that are not included on the Noize One album. 2 songs of note that you should check out there are outstanding accordion/background versions of the Christmas classics White Christmas and Let It Snow.

Getting back to the Noize One album, Hoop Dee Doo is featured 3 times on this album, first on track #3 with a very interesting, funny and unique vocal, then on track 11, the "Hoop Dee Doo Instrumental" and then in the Siberian Popurry Medley. Myself, I would have skipped the instrumental version as it doesn't compare to the other 2, but then maybe they had some hidden purpose for the track that I don't know about.

My absolute favorite song on the album is the last track #16 "Siberian Popurry", appropriately titled since it is a medley of many of the other songs on the album including Hoop Dee Doo, Raving Beer (Barrel) Polka, Pennsylvania Polka, Pennsylvania Polka and She's Too Fat For Me among others. it very well covers some of the biggest hits polka in a perfect blend.

To check out more about the Raving Polka Project check out their website www.ravingpolka.com .


You can purchase this album at the top of this page:

Myspace site:
www.myspace.com/ravingpolka

Email:
polkagigs@yahoo.com

LIMPOPO CONTACT INFO:
For bookings please call:
Prince/SF Productions 650-550-0062
ken@princesf.com
LA direct # 310 428 7400
limpopo@sprintmail.com

www.limpopo.com

www.myspace.com/limpopo