Amina Alaoui
What sort of music is this? It gets rave reviews in jazz journals and other high brow music publications. But it is not like any jazz I’ve heard. It is not classical either, though the way in which the ever-so earnest ECM label markets their music, you’d think it was the equivalent of Mozart or Brahms.
I don’t know what label to attach to this wonderful disc. Which is a good ting really because labels are thin and can be ripped off even by a ten year old. This music simply transcends. It rises above all labels and names and styles. It simply exists. There is no need to pin it down to any place or instance. It just is.
The centerpoint around which this record revolves is the voice of Moroccan singer Amina Alaoui. Born in Fez in 1964, Alaoui studied Andalusian music which has its roots in the Iberian peninsula and North Africa. She has also studied western classical music and came to the attention of the wider world with another ECM record Siwan.
When I listen to this music my spirit soars in a similar way as when I listen to Kishori Amonkar and Lusine Zakarian. Floating is the only way I can describe the feeling. Perhaps free-falling but, without fear.
If you’re interested here is a review by All About Jazz.
Track Listing:
01 Hado
02 Búscate en mí
03 Fado Al-Mu’tamid
04 Flor de nieve
05 Oh Andaluces
06 Ya laylo layl
07 Fado menor
08 Búscate en mí, var.
09 Moradía
10 Las Morillas de Jaén
11 Que faré
12 Arco Iris
Washerman's Dog 