The Hot Club Of San Francisco - Postcards From Gypsyland (2005)

Unlike some of the gypsy jazz groups that are around today and very much dedicated to the music of Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli, the Hot Club of San Francisco have added quite a few new originals and offbeat material to their repertoire. The quintet/sextet, which differs from the Quintet of the Hot Club of France in its use of two violins on five of the 13 selections, plays tangos, waltzes, and some more modern tunes in addition to Django swing tunes. Guitarist Paul Mehling and violinist Evan Price are the main soloists, but all of the musicians are quite talented. Whether it be the heated "Lover's Leap," the haunting "Alle Prese Son una Verde Milonga," a vocalized version of "Nuages" (renamed "Theme from Gypsyland"), or "Song of India," this CD is a consistent delight that is full of surprising moments and fresh material. ~Scott Yanow