Described as "the best traditional Greek band in America," Ziyia, which describes the small ensembles of rural Greece, performs Greek music with a love, passion and authenticity rarely seen in any genre. "From the Mountains to the Islands" covers a beautiful range of styles and emotions, "from the bright, lithe melodies of the typical island ensemble of violin, santouri and laouto to the heavy, passionate laments of mountainous Epirus." Twelve generously musical tracks dance and lilt through striking styles with a large instrumental range including the oud, clarinet, zurna, bouzouki, saxophone, gaida, zurna, violin, lyra, baglama santouri, accordion, daouli, defi, and doumbeleki. This disc is truly a feast for the ears, heart, mind and spirit.