Cafe Orchestra's new album Topaz on Grapevine Records is just what the long hot summer ordered - bright and breezy and full of fun.

The four-piece Irish outfit's cocktail of high octane gypsy music blended with a dash of folk, jazz and classical is out to attract both young and old - and they might just be right.

Mary Coughlan, featuring on Wild and Free, gets the album off to a cracking start and there are also guest vocalist spots from Sinead Stone and Sarah McQuaid.

One disappointment though - and that is for those of us who like to sing along to the lyrics - nine out of 12 of the tracks are instrumental.

ST

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