CD Review: Ali Khattab's 'Sin Pais'

Ali Khattab
Sin Pais
Nesma Music

Egyptian composer, vocalist and guitarist, Ali Khattab, brings us a rousing mix of world fusion imbibed with an African, Arabic, and Andalusian presence. The flamenco-type melodies and instrumentation are mostly instrumental throughout, but Ali adds some vocals. There are Arabic forms, tangos, rumba, Sufi trance, and other indistinct musical qualities that add a blend of intense rhythms and contemplative tones. The music is created with the oud, violin, flute, double bass, duff, darbuca, palmas, req, and cajon. The most important aspect of the album is the origins of the music are multi-factoral and heavily influenced by various world music traditions. However, the music tends to flow very well without sounding disorderly or out-of-place. Ali succeeds with Sin Pais without any complaints here. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Buika's 'En Mi Piel' [2 CD]

Buika
En Mi Piel [2 CD]
Warner Music

Hailing from Spain and born of Equatorial Guinean parents, Buika (pronounced BWEE-kah) is a vocalist with sincerity that seeps through every part of the album. The 2-CD set includes a lively, Spanish-infused concoction of brooding love songs, emotional deliveries, and danceable song structures. En Mi Piel, which means, 'in my skin,' is an evocative title that represents her comfortable and emotive songwriting skills and personal stories. The Spanish-language album contains upbeat tunes on percussion, piano, acoustic guitar, and a variety of strings and horns. The intense vocalizations are more varied than Cape Verde's Lura; not as smooth as Ethiopia's Saba; and almost reminiscent of Uzbekistan's Yulduz Usmanova. At any rate, the writhing percussion and swirling vocals wrap around the listener like the warmth of a Mediterranean sunset. The inviting repertoire is similar to fado or flamenco stylings--both of which are popular music forms in the global music community. The African music links are less than evident on this recording. As a result, fans of European fado and flamenco-type music with a little Andalusian embellishments and jazz will find solace and fun in En Mi Piel. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Jadid Ensemble's 'Sigh of The Moor'

Jadid Ensemble

Sigh of The Moor

Whirling Eye Studios

From the opening call to prayer and the Arab-Flamenco rhythms infused with Mediterranean and Middle Eastern melodies, it does not take long to realize the impressive debut by Glenn Sharp and his Jadid Ensemble. Based in the UK, the Jadid Ensemble is composed of Glenn on guitars, cumbus, saz, bass, piano, vocals, assorted percussion, and oud; Olivia Moore on violin; Paul Cheneour on flutes, ney, mizmar; Adam Warne on riq, darbuka, and frame drums. The flamenco guitar style on "Ilm" is as meditative as it is transportive. The percussion and violin accompaniment provide an Andalusian experience. The sub-two-minute "Vandal" has a haunting melody with mizmar, percussion, and the sounds of a busy bazaar or marketplace. The equally short "The Storyteller" is an interlude out of Central Asia. Haunting, choral-type vocals are fitting on the final tune, "Ascension." The rest of the songs do not include any singing. In effect, the music is transcendent, otherworldly, and intuitive. For fans of Andalusian, Mediterranean, Central Asian, flamenco, world fusion, or Middle Eastern music in general, will find the Jadid Ensemble more than a little entertaining. ~ Matthew Forss