Finjan
Dancing on Water
Rounder (www.rounder.com)

Finjan is a six-piece klezmer band composed of veteran players from Winnipeg, Manitoba. Formed in 1982, they are now one of Canada's most seasoned klezmer bands. "Dancing on the Water" continues their record of solid ensemble playing. The mostly traditional material of freilachs, polkas, horas and a couple of songs feature fiddle, clarinet, accordion, guitar, saxophone, bass, percussion, mandolin, banjo and vocals. Produced by Ben Mink, highlights include the title track, "Bukovinska Polka" and the original piece "Fish Out of Water (Sardines on Rye)." Finjan's instrumental prowess can also be heard on "Azoi Tantzt Men Odessa (This is How We Dance in Odessa)," where two clarinets joust (backed by the rest of the instruments cheering them on), and the Israeli-Greek "Stories of Times Past," led by the mandolin. This is music that knows how to dance and how to yearn, and sometimes both at once. - Ivan Emke