Landes-Akkordeon-BigBand Hessen "A-Train": NICE & SWEET

Accordion Delights

With their second album "NICE & SWEET," A-TRAIN, the State Accordion Big Band of Hessen, once again demonstrates its broad stylistic range. The ensemble navigates between Latin, swing, rock, and pop with the twelve tracks on the album.

The diversity of Latin American music ranges from the title track "Nice & Sweet," a samba composed by Munich-based Kurt Maas, to "Wave," one of Antonio Carlos Jobim's timeless bossa nova melodies, and the catchy cha-cha "Sway," as well as Henri Mancini's "It had better be tonight" from the film "The Pink Panther."

Groovy and rocking tunes are featured in "Affirmation," with bandleader Wolfgang Russ as the guitarist soloist, the spiritual "Wade in the Water," and especially in the large-scale medley of 80s superband Earth, Wind & Fire. Here, the orchestra's forty accordionists shine their brightest.

In the jazz and swing category, there's "New York Special" by Peter Herbolzheimer, "Moondance" from the repertoire of Canadian singer Michael Bublé, and "Moten Swing," a classic from the Count Basie Orchestra.

Except for "Africa," one of the great hits by Toto, contributed by pianist and keyboardist Hans-Günther Kölz, all arrangements are by Wolfgang Russ, the orchestra's leader. In addition to the pop ballad "Against All Odds" by Phil Collins, A-TRAIN drummer Kalle Löbel also contributed as an arranger. Special guest Prof. Matthias Anton shines as the saxophone soloist, marking a highlight as the finale of a superbly performed CD.

For more information, visit www.a-train-bigband.de