Compass Rose Quintet
Cosmopolitango.

The Compass Rose Quintet is a distinctive makeup of instruments including violin, mandolin, guitar, string bass and hand percussion, mingling a veritable potpourri of musical influences including French Musette, Middle Eastern Ghira, Gypsy swing, South American Tango, and some Caribbean dance music. It's really an astounding feat, working all this diversity into something both clever and pleasing. Through this melange, they still concoct a unique and signature sound.

The title cut "Cosmopolitango" is seriously South American, exquisitely tango-like. Its minor mode is nicely complemented by the subsequent cut, "Barcarole" a lighter more playful Calypso feel. As if a northern journey isn't enough geography, the ensemble traverses the Atlantic in "Road to Rabat" a MidEastern arrangement with tabla, adapting modal improvisation structured in virtual Rondo, solos alternating between Greek/Balkan and Oriental.

Back to the Western Hemisphere, the acoustic guitar-driven cowboy ballad "Un Dia en Espana" reminisces of the American West, its melodies flowing with parallel 3rds and 6ths, with the quirky but welcome intrusion of Caribbean conga percussion. A confidently slow waltz follows, "Valse de la Rive Gauche," using the mandolin talents of Howe in unison with Andy Stees' violin, brashness of a plucked sailing song, complete with "Volga" boat song bass violin introduction.

The infusion of bongo drums defies Euro-gypsy categorization; nonetheless, the track "Djump for Django" includes if nothing else, textural elements of the Django-inspired acoustic ensemble; four to a bar feel, but slightly more complex with added alien percussion. Castanet-tinged "Starting to UnRavel" lends the signature theater of Ravel, and the subsequent track, guitar-driven Time Lapse produced the CD's only disappointment, a lethargic sax solo that detracted from the composition's otherwise improvisational sophistication and strong, tuneful drive.

Violin and mandolin once again shine in unison on the final track "Sonrisa," Howe and Stees' blending finesse are backed by the tightly-executed rhythmic foundation of competent guitar, bass, and percussion. To the listener's pleasure, this whole CD offers bountiful variety, keeping melody clean and familiar, and accompaniment both fresh and supportive. Ensembles that risk blending such dissimilar styles are frequently at peril of disorienting the listener with too much variety, but the Compass Rose Quintet does a stellar job of keeping it all together, continually tying up these diverse ingredients through the whole recording.

Selections:
1. Cosmopolitango
2. Barcarole
3. Road to Rabat
4. Un Dia en Espana.
5. Valse de la Rive Gauche
6. Djump for Django.
7. Starting to UnRavel
8. Time Lapse
9. Beneath the Bougainvillea
10. Sonrisa

Purchase: Cosmopolitango

Website: Compass Rose Quintet