Ruth Gould reviews Le Pas du Chat Noir

ECM’s done me again - this may be the best cd of the year! The oud player Brahem is known for his jazz improvisations into Arab music - but this cd isn’t jazz or world or classical. Very simply, it is a journey. With unique instrumentation- oud, piano and accordion- I travelled as I listened,through haunting spare piano melody lines into harmonies that hint at folk tunes into ethereal space and ‘silent songs’. You’ll find your own memories throughout.

With the piano, Satie, Ravel, even Part beckon and the oud suggests a reminder of slow Bach on a lute. As the tempos change, so does the mood - but you cannot escape the hypnotism of Brahem’s realm. This cd is complete magic.

Ruth Gould is from Readings Carlton