This mix of gypsy guitar by Zvonimir teamed up with the sring team of Carmen Kassinger/vi, Lisa Fako/vi, Cheryl Wilson/va, paula Kosower/cel and Rob Kassinger/b feels like the logical step of Django Reinhardt if he were alive today. The mix of rich strings and lyrical nylon guitar tones works wonders, with the team swaying underneath Tot on the bluesy “Groove Me Wah” and prancing on the “Fuga Longa, Vita Brevis” that mixes classical structure with a caravan of guitar ones. Tot and Kassinger streamline together on the intricate “Brother Nicolau” while the bass broods underneath Tot’s aria on “Sarabande Blue”. The strings never sound corny or forced, always creating a symbiotic and wholistic meaning to the construct melding solo and ensemble work during “Bruce’s Dilemma” and chugging along like a sax section for “Maki (Guts & Glory)”. A balm for the ears.