Renaud Garcia-Fons: Entremundo

World music is universal. As bassist Renaud Garcia-Fons performs eleven original compositions with his small ensemble, we're treated to the sounds of India, Persia, Spain, Ireland, South America, South Africa, and more. Reaping a contemporary flavor with the harmonic depth of a much larger ensemble, his band provides exotic sounds and pleasant melodies.

Born in 1962 in Paris from Spanish parents, Garcia-Fons has a natural grasp of world music. His title track, "Entremundo," features bowed bass on a soaring climb over the various mountain ranges that circle the globe. By closing the album's program with an eight-minute bass solo, he gives his audience reason to savor the instrument's capacity for lyrical melody. A bass virtuoso, Garcia-Fons emerges as a spokesman for the universal language. Like Yanni, he has the ability to mesmerize the masses with his dynamic performance. Classical music from centuries past combines with folkloric idioms from all over the world in this musical ambassador's vibrant presentation.

"Entre Continentes" captures the celebratory atmosphere found anywhere. Dancing with a lively step, the ten-piece ensemble drives its message forcefully. Don't stop to sit down. You've got to join this wedding celebration with feet flying. "Sarebân" emerges dreamily from a cocoon and proceeds to emulate Michael Flatley's Riverdance, with its persuasive dance aura and popular flute echoes. Classical Spain is represented by Garcia-Fons' lovely pizzicato foray through "Rosario" and his trio's heart-wrenching ache on "40 Días."

The impressionism represented on Entremundo can mesmerize any audience. As Garcia-Fons persuades his five-string acoustic bass to sound like a sitar, violin, cello and guitar, he's in command of the situation. He's in a position to unite nations of music lovers.