Customer Reviews
Simply superb - By: degrant, 04 Sep 2007 
Anouar Brahem is an unsung hero of ECM. I have never heard a less than excellent recording from him & each recording is accessible but weighty & rewards repeated listening. This is possibly his most jazzy recording: John Surman's saxophone is at once both Eastern & Englishin its feel (compare it to the Turkish clarinet on Astrakan Café) & his serene tonein the beginning of the concluding Hulmu Rabia even sounds like the Hilliard Ensemble.
Bill Holland gives a double bass master class. From the very first bowed notes of the opening "Bhadra", which complement Surman's improvisations perfectly, he provides the anchor to "Thimar" with some wonderfully felicitous melodic yet rhythmic playing.
Brahem is such a democrat that at times he can seem to be playing second fiddle (or should that be third oud) to the others ("Waqt" is a Surman solo). However the balance of the three instruments is exemplary, each coming from a different tradition & yet sounding so "simpatico".
Brahem's current trio with Francois Couturier on piano & Jean-Louis Matinier on accordion is equally excellent but this is perhaps the best place for jazzers to begin.
Joyous. - By: Steve, 19 Dec 2003 The atmosphere created by this CD is nothing short of incredible. The mix of Western & Middle Eastern styles could have been a disaster, but here seems perfectly natural, & I believe this is due to the restraintin the playing, allowing each instrument to be heard individually & also as a complement to the others. I have a feeling that the musicians knew they were creating something very unique & special as they were recording. I get the same feeling each time I listen.
Accessible, engaging, relaxing, superb.
what world music can really be - By: N. A. Bakhshov, 24 Oct 2001 In the notes to this CD it is argued that Jazz has its rootsin African Music & African music, at least Northern African Music traces its roots back to Middle Easter Music ( & Islamic music ).
We have Brahem, from Tunisia, Surman from England & Holland from England all coming togetherin the most startlingly refreshing way. Holland's bass playing takes on a new lyrical dimension, showing that this former Miles Davis sideman has a real 'depth' of understanding. Surman brings his folk & Jazz interests & brings something to the mix while Brahem ( the composer ) gently coaxes us into paths that we might have missed had we not stopped to listen.
It starts somewhere between Europe & North Africa & takes you on a journey far away into a still, quiet & spiritual place.
This album is pure delight - By: , 10 Aug 2001 I bought this CD when it was first released, hanging aroundin Oxford Street's Virgin Megastore Jazz department & being over-taken by the sheer cool ambience the music generates.
The mixture of jazz & middle-Eastern influences is wonderful. It's a CD you can put on a low volume & chill-out, or conversely you can crank-it-up to by fully engaged by the soundstage, as the three musicians play bass, wind & strings.
I gave my copy to a friend for his birthday, & I'll now replace it from Amazon.
Buy it. Let it engage you.
