4 CommentsReply |
MenuLatest GadetsRecent Reviews
Archives
|
Notcot
Gizmos, Gadgets, Noir and Steampunk
4 CommentsReply |
|
Copyright © 2024 Notcot All rights reserved. Theme by Laptop Geek. Site by I Want This Website. | Privacy Policy.
Hearing Anouar Brahem play solo on the track ‘Bahia’ on Jan Garbarek’s Madar album, I first felt the urge to turn down the lights, turn up the volume, immerse in the sound; the oud playing is mesmeric.
That feel is here in Le Pas Du Chat Noir, where the oud initially takes a backstage to simple piano and accordian, making for some really intense music. As the oud joins later, the three instruments intertwine, supporting each other, fading away when not needed, keeping the flow and the power of the music strong to the end.
Instrumental albums are often relegated to the role of musac, background filler. Not this album, or indeed any Anouar Brahem music I’ve heard to date. Intense and simple. It makes you want to bring it to the foreground, to stop and just listen, sink into the sound (preferably in the dark
Rating: 5 / 5
Out of the 120 or so cd’s i’ve bought in the past 12 months, this one has to be rated in the top 5. Brahem’s oud is accompanied by some very fine piano and accordion playing. The three intertwine continuously. Themes repeat in cycles, flowing back at different times, keeping your attention fixed throughout. You’ll find you can easily do the 70 minutes duration in one sitting.
Production is very good (not quite top marks, for there is slight ‘tizzing’ on two tracks, sounds as if a microphone in the studio vibrates – a friend almost sent his speakers back to B&W thinking there was something wrong with them!). I went out and bought Astrakan Café and Thimar but these I didn’t like as much.
Rating: 5 / 5
When I first heard this album it sat me down in my seat..It stops you in your tracks and touches the quiet part of the heart. It’s both intricate and delicate and flows full of atmospherics…it’s sophisticated and yet so accessible.The compositions create a mood all of their own. Lay back, turn down the lights and chill..it’s magic.
Enjoy!
Rating: 5 / 5
This album together with a companion `The voyage de Sahar’ are a wonderful set. This is music for both setting a background mood and it also rewards intensive focussed listening. Rhythmic and relaxing, the music rolls along with superb playing and interplay between musicians. No one dominates, nothing showy or over assertive even when the melody moves between instruments in a hypnotic variation on a series of melodic themes. It avoids cliché’ jazz and is highly particular with a wonderful balance of rich instruments. It is full of associations of Paris, Morocco and Eastern Europe.
I now have all of Anouar Brahems albums and recommend every one. Though these two seem to have dominated this year.
I agree with all the positive comments above.
Rating: 5 / 5