CD Review: Ayelet Rose Gottlieb's 'Roadsides'

Ayelet Rose Gottlieb
Roadsides
Arogole Music

Born in Jerusalem, Ayelet Rose Gottlieb brings us a magical and historical release of Hebrew songs with some Palestinian vocals, a jazzy repertoire, and avant garde set-up that is both relaxing and innovative. The sauntering songs are loaded with jazzy effects, but the music is a kind of fusion that is born out of Middle Eastern, Arabic, and Ladino musical styles. The music is very dreamy, contemplative, and authentic. Ayelet's vocals are inspirational, playful, and mature. The music is sometimes giddy, too. Overall, the album is so diverse and varied that it is difficult to categorize it in one word. Anyone interested in Middle Eastern, Arabic, flamenco, Ladino, folk, roots, world fusion, avant garde, and world jazz will love Roadsides. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Rim Banna's 'Revelation Of Ecstasy And Rebellion'

Rim Banna
Revelation Of Ecstasy And Rebellion
KKV

Palestine's gifted vocalist, Rim Banna, brings us a poetic display of musicianship with guests: Eivind Aarseth, Bugge Wesseltoft, Jihed Khmiri, Kays Zorrouk, Mohamed Ben Salha, Ossama Bishara, Ramsis Kassis, Mr. Kaz, and Shrikant Shriram. The entire project is rather laid-back with sounds emanating from guitars, piano, keyboards, percussion, oriental cello, flute, qanun, oud, and bass. The result is a vocal and instrumental album that represents a Pan-Arabic approach with new age nuances that are not as electric as Azam Ali. Each track flutters with rich melodies and transient sounds that are contemplative, cultural, and nostalgic. There are twelve tracks in all that reveal something new and fresh with each repeated listen. It is no secret there are beautiful revelations contained throughout. The light percussion, wafting vocals, and emotive deliveries are remarkable and represent a pinnacle, career achievement--thus far. Anyone familiar with Rim should check this out. All others will not be disappointed. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Various Artists' 'Khat Thaleth'

Various Artists
Khat Thaleth
Stronghold Sound

Khat Thaleth is a twenty-three track release of global hip-hop, rap, and dub music that primarily surrounds itself with the Arab world. Most of the musicians featured on this compilation hail from Tunisia, Palestine, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, and Egypt. The album title refers to a ‘third track’, which is a metaphor for a third way of looking at things. This is a strong, political recording with in-your-face-commentary and hip, exuberant groves with contemporary instrumentation and urban beats. This is pure, unfiltered hip-hop music with life-affirming qualities and authentic lyrical deliveries. A sampling of the featured musicians on the album include Touffar, Rami GB, Yaseen, Abdullah Miniawy, Al Haqq, Armada Bizerta, Mohamad Antar, and many others. Anyone with an interest in Arab rap, hip-hop, and urban music will love the upbeat, head-bobbing and toe-tapping melodies and rhythms of Khat Thaleth. The liner notes are mostly in Arabic. ~ Matthew Forss 

CD Review: Niyaz' 'Sumud'

Niyaz
Sumud
Six Degrees

The modern arrangements of the Persian group Niyaz are steeped in Persian, Kurdish, Afghani, Palestinian, and Turkish folk songs. The contemporary arrangements on keyboards, electronics, drums, and percussion are due to the talented Carmen Rizzo. Azam Ali is the vocalist, but she also plays the santoor and assorted percussion. Loga Ramin Torkian plays saz, robab, kamaan, djumbush, lafta, guitar, and viol. The stunning compositions are modernized, but not so much they are diluted with boring or cheap embellishments. Instead, the result is a catchy, moving, and ear-friendly approach to folk music. The popularized result is not devoid of folkish charm. Sumud, which means 'steadfastness' in Arabic, is appropriately-titled. Sumud will astound, amaze, and awe-inspire all who listen to it. ~ Matthew Forss