ANOUAR BRAHEM – The Astounding Eyes of Rita (2009) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Delightful new project, assembled by Tunisian oud master Brahem with producer Manfred Eicher. Combination of bass clarinet with oud suggests a link to Anouar’s “Thimar” trio, but this East/West line-up often feels closer to the more traditionally-inclined sounds of “Barzakh” or “Conte de l’Incroyable Amour”. Klaus Gesing, from Norma Winstone’s Trio, and Björn Meyer, from Nik Bärtsch’s Ronin, are both players with an affinity for musical sources beyond jazz, and they interact persuasively inside Brahem’s music. A dance of dark, warm sounds, urged onward by the darbouka and frame drum of Lebanaese percussionist Khaled Yassine. The album is dedicated to the memory of Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish. www.ecmrecords.com 

Tracklist :
1    The Lover Of Beirut    7:44
2    Dance With Waves    3:56
3    Stopover At Djibouti    6:34
4    The Astounding Eyes Of Rita    8:41
5    Al Birwa    4:51
6    Galilee Mon Amour    7:17
7    Waking State    7:48
8    For No Apparent Reason    6:35
Credits:
Bass – Björn Meyer
Bass Clarinet – Klaus Gesing
Goblet Drum [Darbouka], Bendir – Khaled Yassine
Oud, Music By – Anouar Brahem
Producer [Produced By] – Manfred Eicher
Text By [Poem In Booklet] – Mahmoud Darwish
ECM 2075