Customer Reviews

Charmediterraneen

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Here is an exciting CD of jazz composition featuring a big band. But if you're buying it to hear Anouar Brahem, you will probably be disappointed. It's essentially big-band jazz, albeit modern and quite interesting. Leader Paolo Damiani plays cello, and even he is largely overpowered by eleven other musicians plus Anouar Brahem and Gianluigi Troversi.

Beginning with Monteverdi (L'Orfeo), then racing through the film noir musical genre, touching Arab styles, going from maxi- to mini-malist, sounding ancient and modern, big ensemble and solo(s)... Yes, this is a musical gem, like few others, the labor of love of many a distinguished musician on his own and the ONJ. It shows what new music can be, just as Monteverdi did at his time.

If you are new to (this) music, don't worry all the references to the past, just invest some time in it with the idea of hearing where the music may be headed to. For those who've been listening to music as if it were their 2nd job, Charmediterranéen, "Mediterranean Spell," is the brainchild of cellist Paolo Damiani while in charge of ONJ. Damiani said that this album was "inspired by the sea which, like music, moves fluidly and can seep into and unite rigid and separate worlds". In other words, the Mediterranean becomes the metaphor for this musical re-invention.

Judging from the only other review, which I am trying to complement here, some may hear too much music and not enough Brahem/Trovesi/Damiani, as it were. Maybe it's meant to be this way, to puzzle the casual listener and reward the repeated visitor. In most cases, I guarantee this CD is likely to grown on you like old wines/friends. Salute!