Improvising over Italian folk melodies, Quadro Nuevo has transformed popular songs into swinging affairs of the heart. Multi-instrumentalist Mulo Francel, guitarist Robert Wolf, acoustic bassist D.D. Lowka, and accordionist Andreas Hinterseher portray the vocal style that this music brought us during the last century. They're tearjerkers and happy celebrations. They're near and dear to the heart of people from many nations.

Francel's bass clarinet and the Pegasus String Quartet interpret "La Luna si Veste D'Argento" as a new world tango. Wolf's guitar blends with mandolin and tenor saxophone to forge "Chitarra Romana" into a lovely Italian theme filled with joyous memories. It makes you want to get up and dance. Generations are brought together by this fusion of traditional songs and contemporary jazz instrumentalists. While the mandolin and accordion do not usually evoke images of modern jazz, they're brought in here to ensure that tradition hasn't faded.

Francel's "Canzone della Strada" begins with accordion and bass in a swinging dance affair. As tenor saxophone and guitar are added, the music builds gradually in intensity. Passion overflows when Hinterseher steps forward with a spontaneous cadenza. Francel follows with a challenging solo chorus, and then Lowka turns on the hand-driven percussion afterburners. Presenting the image of flying feet, his natural rhythmic beats hammer the message clearly. It's a celebration that involves everyone and every part of your body.

"Firenze Sogna (Florence Dreams)" moves slow and sensual in waltz time with a clarinet and mandolin texture, while "Tarantella" rips you up and out of your chair with soprano saxophone, accordion, and upright bass leading the way. As guitar and cello join the celebration, the ensemble's path veers briefly, before returning to an all-out jam.

"Arrivederci Roma," because of its sentimental value, is performed in a sober and straightforward manner. Quadro Nuevo's interpretation will bring tears to your eyes. This is music for the soul. Music to clear out the clutter that has gathered these past decades. A return to the "good old days" by contemporary artists who use exemplary recording techniques can make anybody's day a whole lot brighter.