What a splendid album. If the unique line-up appeals to you, trust me: the musique is just as bubbly and inventive as you might hope for. The main instruments used are: drums and percussion, vibraphone, keyboards (mainly organ and pianos, both acoustic and electric), clarinet, accordion and double bass. (You also get to hear some tenor sax, various guitars and even an electric fan.)How to describe the contents? For those approaching this music from a rock angle, perhaps the easiest comparison is with Gong at the time of SHAMAHL (without those awful vocals, of course) or with Hatfield and the North at their mellowest: chamber jazz, Canterbury style. For listeners who are deeply into actual jazz, the music often reminded me of the collaborations between Don Byron (clarinet), Bryan Carrott (vibes) and Ralph Peterson, although it is more "classical" in mood, less frantic. There are also distinct echos of Weather Report at their most infectious. Finally, I recognised the influence of European salon music (mainly due to the presence of the old-fashioned accordion) and (occasionally) of Steve Reich style minimalism. Of course a mere list of influences will not suffice to capture the spirit of an album, so let me add that The Claudia Quintet seem to have absorbed many different styles effortlessly, turning them into a joyous 65- minute whole which is always highly inventive and sometimes delightfully surprising. I can't wait to find out more about these guys.