"Deep Forest," a French band with an international flavor, singing in Japan. Quite a mix, but it works! From the metal sounding beginning of "Ekue Ekue," thru the folksy "Green And Blue" and the keyboard virtuosity of "Cafe Europa," the group's diversity and musical ability intrigued me.

I can't tell you what language(s) they are singing in. At one point, one of the musicians says "Thank you." Sometimes there is an African sound to the words, sometimes a mid-eastern sound.

The instrumentation changes drastically throughout the piece. Drums, guitars, keyboards, vocals - male and female - and a lovely saxophone in "Deep Weather" are in direct contrast to the accordion in "Deep Folk Song." This one, and "Cafe Europa" are very Russian in sound. I can almost see Cossacks dancing to both of them. The audience certainly appreciates them both, clapping in time to the music, providing as it were, another instrument for the mix. "Cafe Europa" also includes an outstanding display of skill on both a wind instrument (sounds like a piccolo, or maybe it's a keyboard sounding like a piccolo) and on the piano. According to the cover sheet, Paolo Damanti plays the keyboards, and his ability rivals any concert pianist as he performs in this virtuoso piece reminiscent of "Flight Of The Bumblebee."

The Japanese audience is a bit more restrained than American ones. There are fewer screams and whistles, and when their favorites are played they respond not with the wave of unorganized noise that we are used to, but with rhythmic clapping. Their favorites on this album are "Bohemian Ballet" and "Cafe Europa."

Also worthy of mention is the piece "Freedom Cry." It begins with a deep, hoarse voice crying out. I wish I knew the words, but the feeling is of total despair. An accordion echoes his cries, then moves into a fast paced piece. One gets the feeling that despite the oppression, freedom IS a possibility.

This CD has joined the others in my own CD player for frequent listening. I would have liked liner notes with translations of the words sung though!