Michael Costa, Joe Dziuba, Steve Hayest, Al Piatkowski and Donald Tomko have got THE BEAT! These five fellas known as THE BEAT know how to create HOT POLKA! Their latest CD is entitled "When I Saw You." Highlights of this new CD include: Several original songs - over half of the brand new release, Talented guest performances - including members of the fantastic, GRAMMY Award winning band Brave Combo (Carl Finch, Bubba Hernandez and Jeffrey Barnes of "the Combo") and IPA Hall of Famer Eddie Siwiec (HOF 2005)! Mixed / Engineered by the best in the business - IPA Hall of Famers Gary Rhamy (HOF 2006) & Hank Guzevich (HOF 2007)! This band is on the cutting edge of polka music, especially the ideas of Michael Costa and the abilities of IPA Hall of Famer Al Piatkowski (HOF 2000) on "the keys and boxes." Michael Costa is also a HOT trumpet player and his original compositions are OUTSTANDING. Make sure to appreciate the use of different key signatures and unique modulations throughout the album. The Beat is quite musical and certainly could cross over to other styles of music. One must know that The Beat is full of very capable and talented musicians throughout. These guys have lived the music for years and it is quite evident that they love the art form. They infuse unique ideas and creative musical motifs, yet remember where the music has been. They are blazing some new paths throughout the polka industry! Song Highlights include: "Sunshine in My Life" written and sung by drummer Don Tomko, "Coming Home" as composed and sung by Michael Costa, An explosive, original instrumental entitled "THE BOMB" (via Costa) which showcases the bands' abilities on their given instruments, Brave Combo stops by on "Mama (Take Me Down to the Music Store)", another Michael Costa chart that is GREAT with several key changes, features Carl Finch on guitar and Jeffrey Barnes on blues harp, Joe Dziuba wrote and sung a nice song in waltz tempo - "Best Times of Life" (so true), A possible HIT song for The Beat just may be "She" (yet another Michael Costa original) which features the vocal talents of Michael as well, Other noteworthy songs include: The fun "Magitone Medley" (brings back some fine memories), "Heroes" (nice to hear Al Piatkowski and Michael sing about their polka heroes), "Flea Fly" polka - with accordion / guitar solos & English vocal by Carl Finch, clarinet solo, jaw harp & French vocal by Jeffrey Barnes, and tuba & Polish vocal by Bubba Hernandez (all members of GRAMMY Award winning band Brave Combo), and the opening cut, song #1 "When I Saw You." This CD will turn heads and is super good - definitely has Grammy potential and this is one that you will want for your collection. When you get the chance, get one for yourself and then purchase one for a friend and then another for an enemy (they might end up liking you). And, if you ever get the chance to hear this band live, you will not regret it! Have you heard THE BEAT? ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Beat (as heard on this album) include: Michael Costa - Trumpet, piano, guitar, vocals Joe Dziuba - Bass, vocals Steve Hayest - Trumpet, wood blocks, vocals IPA Hall of Famer Al Piatkowski (HOF 2000) - Accordion, concertina, piano, vocals Don Tomko - Drums, vocals