Customer Reviews

Jarring Effects / Shabeesation

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

 

 

My low rating is not a criticism of the music of Aisha Kandisha's Jarring Effects (AKJE), but of this album's production. Shabeesation is an attempt to introduce AKJE's Moroccan styles to the Western market, through a collaboration with Bill Laswell and a host of American and Eurpoean cutting-edge musicians. Granted, AKJE has always had a cosmopolitan aspect, as they often spend time in the European underground to avoid the religious authorities back home, while group leader Pat Jabbar is a multinational from Switzerland. Also, AKJE has always experimented with industrial and hip-hop sounds. The problem with this album though, is an over-reliance on Western methods in order to attract listeners. Laswell's mindfunk basslines, while as punishing as always, tend to overwhelm the authentic Middle Eastern aspects of the music, as do a succession of predictable electronic beats. The sampled rap vocal (about killing racists) in "Nbrik" is completely out of place, as are the annoying house music synthesizer doodles in "Lahbab." The only songs on this album that manage to avoid these problems are the final two tracks, which are mostly unembellished and give you a more intimate connection with the true essence of AKJE. This includes "Zin" and the highly intriguing "El Harb" which surprisingly sounds influenced by outlaw country blues. So this album is rewarding for Americans who are looking for intriguing new sounds. But for the authentic Moroccan sounds of AKJE, you would be better served tracking down some of their other albums, which are harder to find but much more rewarding.

The trance-like beat of this music, coupled with the ethos of the vocal tracks, make this a CD for all occassions. The veritable renaissance-man-like characteristics make this music akin to an old bottle of wine, an aged piece of parmesan or the fruity spicy scent of a box of just picked cherries, still sticky from the orchard.

Make sure to hit the repeat button on the CD player before you sit down--you'll be paralyzed after the first run through--I promise!

This CD is riveting! Even if you are not a fan of international music, this CD will give you a new appreciation for Morrocan dance music. From track one to the end, it will have you enrapt. You can't help but groove to the perfect blend of traditional Morrocan sound and techno-dance style backgrounds. It's a mischievous mix of old and new with a touch of youthful rebellion to it. Absolutely blue ribbon!

Here we find traditional Moroccan instruments, vocals, and songs filtered through the reluctant modernization of the Middle East. Western production gives this music a polish that much world music is lacking; that polish is rarely missed, but works well for this album. The vocal overdubbing that pervades some tracks is haunting and the instrumental mix couldn't be better. Moreover, the youthful rebellious energy is well-captured; the desire to dance, party, and make trouble is infectious, just like they warned about rock'n'roll.