The world’s most celebrated Gypsy band returns. Formed in the Romanian village of Clejani 25 years ago, Taraf de Haidouks became famous for their frantic, rapid-fire blend of violins, accordions, flute and xylophone-like cymbalum, winning awards and a celebrity following led by Johnny Depp. The deaths of several founding members led to an uncertain period for the band, who last recorded four years ago with Macedonia’s Kocani Orkestar. Now they have returned to their early influences, and done so in style. The singers here include the gutsy Viorica Rudareasa, who sang with Taraf in the late 90s. But what makes the set special are the swirling, furious instrumental pieces like Din Caval Moldoveneasca, driven on by original band members Marius on accordion, Caliu on violin and Ionica on cymbalum. Welcome back.
