Cirkari - Gypsy Music from Eastern Europe

There's plenty of Gypsy music from Eastern Europe available on CD, but not much of it is made by musicians from Argentina (although accordion player Alexander Garate grew up and studied in Spain before relocating in 1991). Much of the material comes from the pens of the band, with the addition of five traditional cuts from several different sources. Technically, it's all beautifully played and sung, but therein lies the problem. It's almost too perfect and carefully arranged, without the sense of spontaneity that typifies most Roma music. There's none of the rawness that's usually part of the appeal of Gypsy music. In that way, the album's strengths also become its weaknesses. There's no doubting the ability of the musicians in Zingaros Cirkari, or their devotion to Gypsy music. They've mastered the sound of another culture, and they're among the technical elite. Ultimately, though, this album never quite connects emotionally.