Balkan Projekt

Cimbaliband are one of Hungary's great party bands. As their name suggests, the hammered cimbalom, as played by Balázs Unger, takes the lead. They have always had a fiery Balkan character, but never more so than on this album, taking inspiration from Romanian, Serbian and Macedonian styles. On vocals is the charismatic Dóra Danics and alongside Unger on cimbalom is his brother Gergő on guitar, Mate Solymosi on violin, Péter Bede on saxophone and Zorán Barity on accordion. There is some spectacular accordion on ‘Velencei Álom’ and virtuoso violin on ‘Dragoi’ but everybody gets their moment to shine.

The pace slows for ‘Oppadiridiri’, which begins in a klezmer-style, terkisher rhythm, but otherwise it's pretty relentless. For many this will be a good thing: once on board this unstoppable Balkan party, it's hard to get off.