The Okros Ensemble, led by the brilliant violinist Csaba Okros, are probably the finest interpreters of Transylvanian village music in the world. On I Left My Sweet Homeland, the five regular members of the ensemble are joined by Aladar Csiszar, a Gypsy violinist who is one of the last great players of traditional village music; Agnes Herczku, a young singer who is one of the leading figures in the Hungarian folk music revival; and Kalman Balogh, one the most accomplished cymbalom players in Europe. On tracks such as "Rabakozi Karej, Dus, Csardas Es Fris," a collection of dance tunes that features the ringing tones of Balogh"s cymbalom, or the "Maramarosi Roman Es Cigany Dallamok," a medley of Gypsy tunes, the band navigates the intricate rhythms and complex melodies with aplomb. But the finest moments on this collection come when Herczku steps up to the microphone. Whether she is singing a lively melody like "Cingeralas (The Gypsy Jumping Dance)" or the moving a cappella lament "I Left My Sweet Homeland," she infuses the music with a passion that is rarely equaled. --Michael Simmons