Here's a rare collection of 14 top artists playing various musical styles all with the great New Orleans flavor. Listen to Dennis Cavalier's Fess It Up, for example, and hear some fantastic piano rhythms. A first rate CD!

Before Katrina hit New Orleans, many fled to Texas. The musicians among them were taken on board by the Texan music family. As a result, this CD contains sixteen tracks by fourteen acts, eight from New Orleans and six from Texas. Although unknown, these artists have, apart from much experience, talent too. Label owner/piano player John Autin discovered and produced both new Orleanians Anders Osborne and Theresa Andersson, whereas Rockin’ Jake has been a well-established name in the Mississippi delta for ten years. Many others combine playing for others with their own music, which is audibly more to them than work. Full of inspired playing this tribute cd reflects the versatility of New Orleans well. In the opener Autin pairs bouncing piano funk to his emotional impressions of the disaster and pulls you straight into the French Quarter. After that B & The Buzz prove that old style jazz still is exuberanty alive there. Then a tense songs follows that breathes Warren Zevon’s spirit, but there is also swing, country blues and heartfelt gospel. Unexpectedly modern influences are present in Greg Finsley’s To Fall In Love, which is strongly related to British eigthies band XTC , but there is zydeco too, Ken Jameson’s languidly funking bolero with ditto horns and Southern blues. With Dennis Cavalier the distance between Dallas and New Orleans fades, both in his stylish but humoristic homage to Professor Longhair and in the funking New Orleans Rising. That way this CD becomes a real must, also because fifteen dollars per copy will be donated to Tipitina’s Foundation, which supports musicians financially. (three and a half out of five stars) Ruud Heijjer - www.popmagazineheaven.nl