Customer Reviews

Madar

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

 

 

This is another of the Norwegian Jan Garbarek's international stylistic fusion projects, this time combining his saxophone work with the oud playing of Brahem and the tablas of Hussain. Such beautifully elegant, yet dramatic music! Brahem's playing in particular is sensational (for those who have not heard the oud played, this is a stringed instrument with a sound something like a dulled lute). The music itself is rather serious, even sombre-sounding at times, but out of this rather dark North African ambience regularly emerge flashes of focussed energy that will, as they say, knock your socks off. A strangely ignored album that deserves much more attention than it has received.

I bought this album before reading any review, or asking any opinion, and i must say its far beyond my expectations, better than my imagination. :) Its the second CD i got after an enchanting experience of "Ragas and Sagas" by Garbarek/Fateh-Ali, I must say this album is a piece of true Art.
The artist are, Jan Garbarek(sax), Anour Brahem(oud), Shaukat Hussain Khan (tabla), if you are familiar with any of these musicians you wont have to read any review and just have to click-and-order, three geniuses in their own respect. The mix between north african, norwegian and pakistani music really make this CD a must for any music of fan, obviously people with more classical and world music knowledge will truly appreciate the brilliance of it; but, at the same time, you dont have to be a master to appreciate the simplicity and magical feel of this CD.
The overall experience is so powerful in a magical way it will take hold of you in no time. The pace of the music is more smooth and slow, super perfection.
Again, Five Solid Gold stars.

This album is beautiful in many ways. The melodies are great - the improvising is explorative - the oud sounds great (listen to the Bahia excerpt) - and the tabla bubbles away underneath (solo on Jaw). Garbarek's tone is somewhat nasal and there might be too much delay or reverb on it for the ears of purists. Dont be put off by the sound samples above - it sounds way better on a real stereo. This is one album I would give 6 stars to if it were possible even though the piano epilogue is very incongruous and breaks the mood. I have owned this CD for 6 years and it is always on high rotate.

A gift at first, an addiction thereafter... If you can imagine a crossroads between World, Jazz and Contempory Music, then you can imagine this album... listening to it is a permanent and everchanging source of pleasure. ECM records have a stable of amazing artists !

Released in 1993, MADAR is a collaboration between Norwegian saxophonist Jan Garbarek and Tunisian oud virtuoso Anouar Brahem, with occasional accompaniment by Shaukat Hussain on tabla. The classic ECM studio aesthetic is in full force, resonant and cut through with silences. There's some subtle use of recording technology, as "Sebika" has Brahem overdubbing his parts, while "Jaws" features a sustained keyboard or saxophone tone in the background.

I like much of Brahem's work, but I find this an exceedingly uninspired record. Garbarek doesn't draw any obvious inspiration from his partners and just meanders. Yes, I know that Garbarek is an unorthodox musician, but even by his standards this is directionless. Brahem sounds bored, just going through the motions of earlier albums. The later combination of oud and saxophone on Thimar works so much better, because there John Surman seems to draw energy from Brahem's contribution. In spite of the two big names on Madar, I found the most memorable moment to be "Jaws", which is Hussain's chance to solo, but it's not really worth the cost of the disc.

Who knows, perhaps fans of Garbarek will like this record, but in exploring the 1990s output of Anouar Brahem, this is the very last record you should pick up.

As I am no expert in Middle Eastern music, I will not comment on the technical qualities and nuances of what is played here nor will I speculate on the level of "authenticity". I will tell you what I like or do not like.
My musical interests range far and wide. Among my CD collection are a number of CDs by oud master Anouar Brahem but no others by Jan Garbarek. Since Garbarek has a reputation in the world of music for his interest in experimenting with world music a la Al DiMeola, I thought that without having heard a note of this that it might be a CD worth owning. My hunch paid off.
Madar proves to be a masterpiece of atonal music. It is less a mix of east meets west than it is a case of "Garbarek goes east" even on a couple of pieces that are based on traditional Norwegian melodies. Though sax is most definitely a European instument, Garbarek deftly and expertly adapts it to the demands of this project. Though this recording will never be on a list of all-time greats, it is worthwhile nonetheless.
I find this CD most relaxing when I have some time to sit back, relax and contemplate the day ahead. Put this on when you have time to hear it through from beginning to end. Its perfect Sunday morning music.

2 1/2

Garbarek's mid-east foray accounts for some interesting background, but feels over-indulgent and underwhelming when agreeable airiness gives way to repetitious bi-cultural bloat.