These folks offer a spirited but respectful look at the klezmer tradition as it traveled across Asia Minor, Eastern Europe, and into the Americas (and back). Opening with a medley of a classic hora and a lively show tune by one of the fathers of American klezmer, Dave Tarras, the band shows energy and topnotch playing skills, and an openness to new ideas that never mows over the feel of the original. The mix of instruments is completely modern. Metropolitan Klezmer mix old and new Middle Eastern instruments like bendir and European transplants violin and clarinet with the more modern tools of accordion, upright bass, and drum kit to create a blurred line between ancient and contemporary. They combine and contrast tunes, playing the same song in the style of two or more different places, to give the listener an idea of how the music has traveled. Which is not to imply this is a scholarly performance. Metropolitan Klezmer play with verve and offer great music on this journey.