Ziroq
Named after a mythical North African wind that stirred passion in the  hearts of Europeans touched by it, Ziroq offers the same effect through its  music. This band of veteran sidemen, led by songwriters Marcus Nand and Carmine  Rojas, sweep through various countries, taking on such seductive sounds as  pop-oriented flamenco, Gypsy, and Arabic music, while adding exotic Indian  flourishes and a few other tasteful odds and ends. The suave Nand sings  throughout, proving to be a fine pop vocalist (with lyrics in both Spanish and  English) whose sensual rasp isn't too far from that ofPeter Gabriel. Also like  Gabriel, this quintet incorporates smooth, modern-sounding production that  gracefully supports the ethnic elements of the music with a skillful flair that  will appeal to fans of various tasteful but technologically savvy fusions of  world music. Certainly off to an auspicious beginning, it would seem that the  members of Ziroq will spend much of their time focusing on the band in the years  to come.--Tad Hendrickson