Romane and
Stochelo Rosenberg are two extended family members who have mastered Gypsy swing in the manner of
Django Reinhardt and
Stéphane Grappelli, though with a different twist. Using two acoustic guitars, bass and drums, they primarily play original music, which is open to modern influences while maintaining a Gypsy flavor. Aside from one standard, "Nature Boy" and an unusual treatment of
Dave Brubeck's "Blue Rondo a la Turk," that drastically alters the bassline, they play things like the decidedly funky "R' N Bis" and the intricate "Bop Tension," both composed by
Romane.
Stochelo is no slouch as a composer, contributing the lively "Double Jeu" (which one could easily imagine
Reinhardt and
Grappelli playing) and the bluesy miniature "Blues for Barney." This may be a pricey import for U.S. jazz fans, but
Double Jeu is well worth seeking. ~ Ken Dryden