"Girls Sing," Auktyon (Geometryia)

Not many CDs seem too big for the CD player. "Girls Sing," by Russian rock-jazz-fusion act Auktyon, does. The disc's opening track, "Profukal," is one of those rare tracks that bursts from your speakers and prompts you to speed if you're driving to it.

Does it matter that those non-Russian-speaking listeners can't understand the words? Not at all. Whether it's on the energetic and edgy fast numbers or the delicate and pretty pieces, "Girls Sing" is riveting.

Auktyon is in its own category, incorporating tuba, double-bass, bass clarinets and saxophones along with more traditional rock instruments.

It's no wonder that American guest musicians Marc Ribot, John Medeski, Ned Rothenberg and Frank London were so anxious to collaborate with the band on the album.

The collaborations can be dizzying and exhilirating. This is one disc that's not to be missed.

-by Wayne Bledsoe