Tiris, a group named after Western Sahara region between Morocco and Mauritania, perform “Tiris Nibreeha”. The cover notes inform me that it is sung in Sahrawi Arabic a rare dialect and is translated as “We Love Her”. They also explain that it ‘echoes the mournful call that one would send out across the Sahara Desert’.
Les Orientales, consisting of three females, take us back to the Algerian music of the post World War II era. Meanwhile Zein Al-Jundi who was born and raised in Syria, now lives in Austin, Texas, where she teaches and performs ‘rags sharqi’, or ‘oriental dance’, better known still as ‘bellydance’ music. Her song of love “Wijjak Ma’ii” closes the album beautifully.
Putumayo have done it again and succeeded in presenting a tantalizing appetizer that will satisfy, inform, and inspire further exploration. As loose as the term actually is Acoustic Arabia takes us on a journey of discovery through the various countries and their musical traditions.
In a world full of misunderstanding it is often music that helps to blur both the borders and the cultural boundaries. Such is its enduring power.
Please also read fellow Blogcritic Jon Sobel's excellent review.
Visit the Putumayo website to explore their other releases.
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