JOE CRAVEN
Django Latino
Compass Records
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Anyone lucky enough to witness the virtuoso musicianship of Joe Craven over the last year, either at his Whelan's gig or in Ballybunion at the World Fleadh (as a pivotal member of Alison Brown's band) will jump at the chance to hear this multi-instrumentalist in full flight. Transposing the intricate rhythms and glorious melodies of Django Reinhart south of the border is exactly the kind of trickery we've come to expect from Craven - and not only does the idea work, it positively triumphs in its playful juggling of Cuban Charangas, Brazilian Bossa Novas and Mexican-tinged waltzes. This is music that'll tickle you behind your ears, tweak your cheek muscles urging you inevitably towards a grin of Amazonian proportions. Craven's imagination finally streaks into the stratosphere. www.compassrecords.com