“They are one of the most interesting bands on the Sephardic live music scene, exploring a little-known musical repertoire on the fringes of Ottoman and Habsburg Empire.” (Read the full article)

Simon Broughton, for „Songlines“ June 2010

“…The main disc is a triumph. Stefan Sablic, the lead volacist has a reedy authenticity and his supporting musicians are all virtuosos.”

Dennis Marks, “Top of the World” album selection review, for “Songlines” July 2010

"...It's refreshing to encounter a group who come mostly from the former Yugoslavia. Led by Stefan Sablic, A serbian, they have an eclectic and accomplished performing style, spiced up by an Indian percussionist. The mainly Balkan backing group add a wealth of Mediterranean instruments including darabuka, kaval, qanun and riq. Try the heady mix of sacred and profane in the first four tracks on this disc I dare you disagree."

Dennis Marks, Review of the CD "Sephardic Songs from the Balkans", for "Songlines" 2008.

“Shira u’tfila shows to be a group that understands the art of cathing the soul of old traditions and bring it back to live. The result is music of pure quality.”

Eelco Schilder, for “Folk World” 2008

“For me it is the intricate, ethnic percussive rhythms that prove the ultimate tantalising draw, urging your body to move in time to the exotic sounds that Shira U'tfila create with such effortlessness composure. The singing here is first rate -- no trite embellishments or histrionics to be heard, just the raw and honest fervour of everyday voices, telling their everyday tales. From start to finish this group really creates an intoxicating blend!”

Mike Wilson, for Folking

 "…This group has the clear mission of reviving the Jewish Balkan music tradition, a goal that is definitely approached with tremendous seriousness. In spite of that, their totally modern improvisation includes not only a punk-rockabilly double bass and the passionate contributions of Filip Krumes on violin, but also the unambiguous and unique sound of qanun (a kind of Jewish sitar), played by the renowned musician from Israel, Ariel Qassis.

But, exactly somewhere, in between this area filled with ferments of the chemistry of the 21th century, which also satisfies the wide range of the urban generation, you are suddenly struck by the ancient spirit of the Orient, whose deep melancholy and ecstasy finds its place in the vital harmony of the autonomous branch of eternal reality. Sensual, intoxicating and beautiful, but truly."

Zorica Kojić for "Danas" 

“Shira utfila” not only gives to audience a string of pearls made of Sephardic poetry and music – but also does this in a completely Sephardic manner – truly evoking the internal and external unity of the Sephardic world. The internal unity is evoked by uniting liturgical and secular singing into a unique plait of liturgical, paraliturgical, love and patriotic songs – which unobtrusively and gladly revolve and replace each other sometimes even in the course of the same tune which is such a typical characteristic of all phases of Sephardic culture and its subtraditions. The heritage in which the holiest liturgical sequences are sung on melodies of Spanish romances, Turkish sevdah or Arabic tarab – while singing during family and public gatherings is often seasoned with liturgical sequences”

Eliezer Papo,    David Gaon Center for Ladino Culture, La boz de sefarad 2009

"The album is reminiscent of what Israeli post-Balkan jammers Boom Bam would sound like if they didn't have a punky edge. It is at once nostalgic and alive."

Ben Jacobson, The Jerusalem Post 2007