A fascinating combination of personalities and styles, this 1996 release from Franco-Italian accordion virtuoso Richard Galliano achieves a wholly original musical synthesis. Bracketed by an opening track from tango ace Astor Piazzolla and a concluding piece from Jaco Pastorius, the session finds the common ground in such seemingly disparate choices. With nine Galliano originals in between, the result is a cohesive, uncompromising set of performances and an essential work in the leader's discography. The players with Galliano are a combination of Europeans and Americans equally at home in jazz and European folk music. Bireli Lagrene is a key contributor. Czech bassist George Mraz and drum legend Al Foster are also present in the recording.

"A little accordion can go a long way."
All About Jazz