Iram

Appropriately enough this disc begins with the gently rippling sound of the cimbalom before taking of into the catchy opening number ‘Azt Gondoltam’. The dual strengths of Hungary's Cimbaliband are the flamboyant cimbalom playing of Balázs Unger and the husky vocals of Dóra Danics, who came to the band after winning Hungary's X-Faktor in 2013. The band also includes violin, guitar, double bass and drums, although several tracks have excellent darbuka percussion. Most of the songs on this album have music by Unger and words by Danics, though a few use traditional lyrics.

Unger's music clearly draws on traditional sounds, particularly of the Balkan variety in tunes like the energetic ‘Szende’ as well as rock'n'roll in ‘Holnapután’. A sense of mischief, fun and carefree abandon runs through the album, and while it doesn't have a quirky hit like ‘Fő a Kávé’ (the hilarious celebration of Budapest coffee houses on their last album, Recycle), it still leaves a big smile in its wake.