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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 of Peter 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