Tanz! With Dave Tarras and the Musiker Brothers

When Tanz! was released in 1955 its revolutionary blend of klezmer and swing failed to excite fans of either style and the LP promptly disappeared without a trace. Which was too bad because the record not only offered an intriguing vision of what klezmer could have become, it featured some of the finest playing by two of klezmer's most important figures, the legendary clarinet players Dave Tarras and Sam Musiker. The 14 tracks were arranged by Musiker, a Gene Krupa Band veteran, who skillfully combined the wild melodic flights and rhythmic drive of klezmer with the sophisticated harmonies of jazz. Tarras is one of those musicians whose playing is always wonderful, but on tracks like his composition "Tango," or the traditional tune "Gypsy," he seems particularly inspired by the innovative settings. Tanz! was unjustly ignored when it was realized in 1955. Don't make the same mistake with this reissue. --Michael Simmons