Sometimes art mimics . . . art? This is the house band for the TV show "Babylon Berlin," and most of these songs on this album were used on the show. And so, this band that was "cast" is now a full-fledged traveling outfit. In service of promoting the show, of course.

Moka Efti Orchestra Erstausgabe (Six Degrees Records)

The songs borrow liberally from a variety of traditions. There's a swingy tango, a couple of jazzed up tin pan alley types, some orchestrated blues and more. Is this a true representation of 20s nightclub music? Um, no. But then, the TV show doesn't exactly hew to history, either.

Rather, this is just a big bash of fun. Like the Kansas City Band (cast for the Altman movie), the Moka Efti Orchestra has created music that has a life outside of television.

This album sets the mood and then proceeds to dig deeper and deeper. The breadth of styles and sounds is impressive. And it's clear that the musicians are having a blast. There may not be another, but this album is a real treat.

Jon Worley