CD Review: Wahid's 'Road Poem'

Wahid
Road Poem
BMI

The California-based duo, Wahid, is comprised of Dimitris Mahlis on oud and Chris Wabich on percussion. The Middle Eastern frame drums and meditative oud make a wonderful appearance throughout the album. Road Poem, which is musical poetry at its finest, brings together Eastern and Western traditions to the mix. The wholly instrumental album is void of any contemporary embellishments, such as guitars, keyboards, or other electrified instruments. Instead, the percussion and oud duets provide a sense of serenity and awe in the world of improvisational world music, jazz, and rock. Dimitris knows how to play the oud with a fiery passion, as well as a contemplative style for intros and outros. Chris' percussion is eloquent, precise, and always a pleasure. The energy between the two instrument forms is 'electric,' despite the lack of electrically-charged instruments. The wandering tones of the instruments resembles the galloping camels across North Africa, but the music is inherently Middle Eastern. Nevertheless, Wahid is an album of live tracks with applause at the ends of the tracks. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Nadishana Trio's Latest Release 'Far & Near'

Nadishana Trio
Far & Near
Sound Microsurgery Department

The Germany-based Nadishana Trio is composed of Nadishana from Siberia; Steve Shehan from the U.S.; and Armin Metz from Germany. The album contains far-reaching sounds, melodies, and rhythms from various cultures. The wholly instrumental album contains a wide variety of wind, percussion, and limited string instruments. The only familiar instrument--for the most part--is the piano. The others include bansuri, kendang, duclar, utar, lekembe, handsonic, tambujira, hadgini, knong wang, and other diverse and obscure instruments seldom heard on any world music album. The contemplative tones are interrupted by some energetic percussion steeped in the traditions of Europe, Middle East, and South Asia. The 'far' and 'near' concept is very appropriate, as many of the instruments originate from several world regions--as well as performers themselves. At any rate, the effort is memorable and unlike anything previously released in ANY genre. The Nadishana Trio are perfect for improvisational, percussion, New Age, and instrumental ethnic music fans with a desire for something above par. Far & Near is as close as one gets to perfection. ~ Matthew Forss