Reviewed: 2017-06-05
FCCs: none

Review: ethnic fusion jazz, for lack of a better term. The Cimbalom is like a large hammer dulcimer. Preda is masterful on a variety of other instruments as well. No set group, he utilizes a stellar line-up of pros from different genres, including Arturo Sandoval on trumpet and Mike Stern on guitar. Several originals along with rearranged gems from the past.
If You Like: Bobby Hutcherson, Toumani Diabate, Weather Report
Favorite Tracks: (1) Mission Cimbalom (5) Le Grand Blond Avec Une Chaussure Noire (6) Tango for The Giants (8) St. Arturo (10) B.A.T.C. (11) 198 Strings vs Stern & Preda
Track Review: 1/ cimbalom starts> uptempo electric fusion> cimbalom solo> fade (4:34) 2/ string section starts> slow tempo> beautiful trumpet solo> cimbalom solo> fade (5:59) 3/ cymbalom starts> lightning fast tempo> quick stop (5:07) 4/ piano starts> slow song with male vocal (Preda)> fade 5/ pan pipes start> midtempo> vibes solo> pan pipes solo> false stop> fade on pan pipes (6:58) 6/ accordion starts> midtempo swings to uptempo> fabulous accordion solo> fade (6:58) 7/ piano starts> midtempo> piano solo> fade (3:19) 8/ bass starts> uptempo> cimbalom solo> slows to stop (6:04) 9/ piano solo starts> uptempo> quick stop on a flourish (5:45) 10/ vibes start> uptempo> quick stop (2:59) 11/ cimbalom starts> uptempo> false stop & fade (3:38) 12/ guitar starts> uptempo> electric fusion guitar solo> crescendo end (4:58) 13/ cimbalom starts> midtempo duet with guitar (4:46)