Record Reviews

JON BALKE / AMINA ALAOUI ~ SIWAN ECM 2042 (Barcode: 602517801516) ~ NORWAY ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 2007 - 2008 Released: 2009 Norwegian keyboardist / composer Jon BalkeFind albums by this artist and Moroccan vocalist Amina AlaouiFind albums by this artist come together to produce a stunning work of rare beauty, which combines East and West (or in this case South and North), proving the obvious again: regardless of what the source of the music, it bridges human languages and cultures better than any other medium. The music presents a wide range of European styles, like the Baroque music and Middle Eastern scales and sounds, originating in Andalusia, the Muslim Iberia. The lyrics used in the songs also originate in the medieval Spain, and are in Arabic and ancient Spanish dialect. All these elements come together perfectly, creating music, which is beyond time or place, just flowing beautifully. The various instruments: trumpet (played by Jon HassellFind albums by this artist), keyboards, chamber orchestra, oriental violin, percussion and zarb all cooperate sonically to produce a sound like no other, which harmonizes elements that were often thought as incompatible and unsuited together. This music must simply be heard to be believed, and I hope many people will feel adventurous enough to reach out and expose themselves to it. Superb stuff!

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