The Astounding Eyes Of Rita

The Astounding Eyes of Rita introduces a new Brahem group, in a sinuous dance of dark sounds (oud, bass clarinet, bass guitar and hand drums), strong melodies, earthy textures... Where Anouar’s last two recordings – “Le voyage de Sahar”(2005) and “Le pas de chat noir” (2001) - found him at the centre of a trio orientated towards chamber music, with this new recording there is a sense of coming full circle.

This is a modern record but it also carries a sense of traditions, including Brahem’s own, and also reveals affinities with his early releases. There has long been a balance between Western & Eastern components in Brahem’s work, but ratios change with each project, as the work develops. “While I can easily find fantastic traditional players in my region, I often miss qualities specific to European jazz players, a certain open-mindedness in approaches to improvising - aspects to do with freedom”. Anouar plays together here with German bass clarinetist Klaus Gesing and Swedish bassist Björn Meyer [Nik Bartsch] and percussionist Khaled Yassine.

1. The Lover Of Beirut
2. Dance With Waves
3. Stopover At Djibouti
4. The Astounding Eyes Of Rita
5. Al Birwa
6. Galilee Mon Amour
7. Walking State
8. For No Apparent Reason