Customer Reviews

Suerte

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This graceful music consists of a series of duets by Abed Azrie who sings in classical Arabic & Pedro Aledo who sings in Spanish. The songs are based on 11th century Andalusian poems. A synthesis of modern & traditional instrumentation by the chamber ensembles exquisitely blends the Arabic & Spanish traditions using Darbouka drum, Flamenco guitar, castanets, kanoun, tambourine, violin, handclaps, keyboards, synthesizer, piano & chromatic accordion. The poetic qualities of the two languages, of which the sound systems complement one another, add a layer of magic to the instrumental textures.

The album opens with Azrie's Arabic and is soon joined by Aledo in Spanish and then the two voices blend in the most perfect unison on Suerte, translated as Fortunate Fortune. This stirring track is covered by Deep Forest on their album Comparsa under the title 'Media Luna.' There are melancholy moments of yearning while at other times the mood is reverential & celebratory at the same time, with Azrie's deeper register conveying the weighty aspect, alternating with Aledo's lighter vocals against a background of joyful exclamations and percussive exuberance including handclaps.

Soulful vocals, instrumental passages of dazzling virtuosity & complex arrangements characterize the music. Slower numbers with lengthy intros like Entre Esperanza y Deseo (In Hope and Longing) & Entre Tus Manos (In Your Hands) alternate with rhythm-driven songs such as Vida & Muerte (Life & Death) and the life-affirming Luna (Moon). This enchanting album concludes with Sol de Suerte, translated as 'Fortunate Fortune's Solar Beam,' a buoyant, polyrhythmic reprise of the title track. The 24-page CD booklet contains liner notes and the lyrics in English, French & Spanish. There are also various live versions of Suerte.

Bringing the Arabic influences in Spanish flamenco to the forefront, this CD offers a range of vocals from deep and haunting to exuberant. Pieces include guitar and a variety of Spanish and N. African stringed and percussion instruments. A "must have" for anyone interested in flamenco, Spanish, North African or Gipsy music (WAY better than some of the more popular offerings in these catagories).

What lovely music! Soothing and spirit-lifting, the magnificent voices of Abed Azrie and Pedro Aledo rise up amidst the collage of instrumentals. I can't help but wax poetic when exposed to such poetry. By the way, the liner notes come in three languages: English, Spanish, and French. As far as I can tell, the translators worked hard to convey the elegance of the original Arabic into the other languages so the listener can fully grasp what is being sung. There is a lot of interesting background information, too. Overall, a highly enjoyable collection of melodies.

I bought this album based on reviews and an older album by abed azrie. I am sorry to say this, but I was very disappointed by both artists. The performance is almost like those of amateurs.