My review of Lucian Ban and Mat Maneri's Transylvanian Concert, today at All About Jazz.While the two had been touring as part of a more electro-centric project, the opportunity arose for a one-off acoustic duo show where the pianist and violist explore everything from the folk music of the region to, for Maneri, a stunning a cappella reading of "Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen" that's one of the most unusual - and compelling - versions heard in a long time (if ever).Ban (making his first ECM appearance) and Maneri (back after a six-year absence, his last recording with British traditional singer Robin Williamson on [I]The Iron Stone[/I]) have clearly honed a chemistry that makes this an album that explores left-of-center terrain, but with a largely spare and quiet approach that makes it more accessible than it might seem on paper.

Review here.