This soundtrack from the stunning film Latcho Drom is a first-class introduction to the story of Gypsy music and culture. Tracing a chronological 1,000-year-old path of Gypsy migration from Rajasthan to Spain, these 18 tracks contain a myriad of different styles from the Indian subcontinent, Egypt, Turkey, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, France, and the flamenco Gypsies of Barcelona. Many well-respected acts like Taraf de Haidouks and Hasam Yarim are featured as well as many unknown but extremely talented Gypsy artists. Whereas the film paints a picture of a struggling society, the collected music illustrates the resilience of these outcastes, with the majority of tracks being effervescent dance music echoing many cultures. There are reflections of tragedy and sadness, notably from Romania, but these are more than balanced by rocking Balkan block parties, Turkish cabaret, and French guitarists swinging as hard as Django Reinhardt. --Derek Rath