Customer Reviews

Al-Jadida

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

DO NOT MISS these Jazz Creations.

As usual Rabih Abou-Khalil is playing with some great Musicians, Sonny Fortune (alto sax), Glen Moore (bass) ... and the result is a perfect album. They retain truly Arabic base while flowing freely as the best Jazz can do. The result is 'richly polyrythmic' and let your mind dreaming of a warm sand world.

It is not gift (for you or someone beloved), it's a way to reach different and better feelings of life.

NB : 'Al Jadida' received the 'ffff' Telerama review Label (the best French critics)

FM

Sonny Fortune's distinct playing dominates Al-Jadida, right from the opening bars to "Cantania." Though I don't think he's the greatest sax player to play with Rabih, he certainly is one of the most unique, and you'll definitely find yourself waiting for his next solo.

Al-Jadida is pretty minimalist and conventional for RA-K, but the compositions and melodies are great, and the real exploration is in the solos -- and on an oddball, short piece, albeit a worthwhile one, called "Ornette Never Sleeps." I half expected to hear some great flute playing, but no such luck.

"Al-Jadida" is a wonderful blend of jazz and middle-eastern music. Similar to "Between Dusk And Dawn" in that it is heavier on the jazz element, it also differs in the feel. The music seems to have more energy and movement. Of the pieces on this album: "Catania", "An Evening With Jerry", and "Nadim" are all excellent. The interplay between Rabih Abou-Khalil's oud and Sonny Fortune's alto saxophone is simply great. The lineup for this album is: Rabih Abou-Khalil (oud), Sonny Fortune (alto saxophone), Glen Moore (bass), Ramesh Shotham (South Indian drums, percussion), and Nabil Khaiat (frame drums, percussion).

I found this disc in a local store and was intrigued by it's beautiful cover ( and how many times have I found wonderful music wrapped in a wonderful cover...)I was not disappointed.
Is it world music or is it Jazz..?? or something else again.
Oud/saxaphone/double bass and percussion weave in and around the compositions of Rabih Abou-Khalil producing some exotic and uplifting moments,the musicians always complementing each other and the tunes.

I look forward to hearing more of his work and I heartily recommend this disc.Perhaps you could describe it as an Arabic version of Shakti.Beautiful...!!

Not many words. If you imagine Sahara and floating on the waves of your imaginations then this is the one. If you want to go deeper and explore the spaces then Blue Camel is the one. Definetly the way to cry tearless and to fall a sleep in sweetness.