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Tania Lukic-Marx now gives the CD reviews a rating system. This system includes a number of stars at the completion of the review, for example 5 stars (*****) means the CD was "brilliant" or "excellent", 4 stars = impressive, 3 stars = good, 2 stars = satisfactory and 1 star = didn't impress.

Title:	Podium Duo
Artist:	Orosz Zoltan (accordion) and Ursu Gabor (guitar)
Supplied by:	Orosz Zoltan
Review date:	February 14th 2003
Tracks:	1. La Flambee Montalbanaise 2. Tico-Tico 3. Fekete Szemek 4. Parizsi Kislany 5. Granada 6. Sweet Georgia Brown 7. Kristaly Polka 8. Parizsi Dallam 9. Nyirfacska 10. A Tomeg 11. Guten Morgen 12. Padam-padam 13. Pacsirta

This CD comes from Budapest (Hungary) and I was so pleased I received this recording! This is one of the recordings that I didn't put away after reviewing it - I often play it in my free time. It is just SO cool! Zoltan and Gabor play well known, popular tunes, such as "Tico-Tico", "Oci Cornie", Rumanian dance "Pacsirta" etc., in another words - tunes recorded by accordionists so many times, so I expected to hear more or less 'traditional' arrangements and playing. Was I surprised to hear Zoltan and Gabor's performance?! It is a whole level above the traditional standard of performance. Guitar and accordion (both acoustic only) make an excellent ensemble, its timbres mixing superbly, guitar giving steady but interesting and colorful backing. A major part of the success of this recording are excellent arrangements which are 'quasi' traditional but with a touch of improvising, touch of jazz in some sections, innovative, fresh, where the accordion is clearly a leading instrument but the guitar also has an equally important role, harmonic twists, interesting rhythmic line. Of course, guitarist Ursu Gabor is a highly competent musician, with a playing style very compatible with Zoltan's. The star is, no doubt, accordionist Orosz Zoltan. To sum up his playing in one word, it is - splendid! Great musicality and style. His technique is just - unbelievable. Zoltan plays piano accordion, but is technically so superior that while listening to him you have a feeling that he plays on the button accordion. Such a crisp, sharp and clear 'leggiero', such a freedom in performing most demanding 'arpeggio' runs as well as other types of technical demands, it is just amazing!!! It is overall potent and superior accordion playing that left me feeling 'on a high' long after hearing it. I thought while listening to it: yes, as an accordionist you either have it or you don't, and Zoltan surely has it!!! Zoltan has my highest recommendation. *****