Unlimited Streaming
Listen to this album in high quality now on our apps
Start my trial period and start listening to this albumEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
SubscribeEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
Digital Download
Purchase and download this album in a wide variety of formats depending on your needs.
Recorded in Germany by Beirut native Rabih Abou-Khalil, this moody, atmospheric album is more like a soundscape than a collection of songs. Abou-Khalil's primary instrument is the oud, a lute-like instrument traditionally used in Arab music. This low, sweet-toned, obviously Far Eastern instrument is teamed up with nothing more than Arab drums in most of the songs. Sparse vocals, performed by Selim Kusur, do little to create any discernible melody. Instead, they add texture and effect -- or an intro in the case of "Incantation." Upbeat songs such as "Awakening" are carried along by the drums, while the melancholy sound of the oud dominates introspective tracks such as "Nafas." This album is a far cry from the complex, percussion-heavy, often slightly jangly albums that usually make it to the world music section in Western record stores. It is also unlike the techno-influenced worldbeat albums that found popularity amongst certain club circles. It is a wistful, lonely album. Its simple, spare instrumentation is its distinguishing feature; after listening to dozens of over-produced, musically complex albums, this one comes as a bit of a relief. Though certain world music experts consider Abou-Khalil to be an innovator within his subgenre, his music sounds neither new nor old. It's hard to fit within any time frame.
© L. Katz /TiVo
You are currently listening to samples.
Listen to over 100 million songs with an unlimited streaming plan.
Listen to this playlist and more than 100 million songs with our unlimited streaming plans.
From kr133.33/month
Glen Velez, Composer, Drums, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Jan Erik Kongshaug, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Manfred Eicher, Producer - Selim Kusur, Ney Flute, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Setrak Sarkissian, Drum, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Rabih Abou-Khalil, Oud, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1988 ECM Records GmbH, under exclusive license to Universal Music Classics & Jazz - a division of Universal Music GmbH
Glen Velez, Composer, Drums, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Jan Erik Kongshaug, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Manfred Eicher, Producer - Selim Kusur, Composer, Ney Flute, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Setrak Sarkissian, Composer, Drum, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Rabih Abou-Khalil, Composer, Oud, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1988 ECM Records GmbH, under exclusive license to Universal Music Classics & Jazz - a division of Universal Music GmbH
Glen Velez, Composer, Drums, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Jan Erik Kongshaug, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Manfred Eicher, Producer - Selim Kusur, Ney Flute, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Setrak Sarkissian, Composer, Drum, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Rabih Abou-Khalil, Oud, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1988 ECM Records GmbH, under exclusive license to Universal Music Classics & Jazz - a division of Universal Music GmbH
Glen Velez, Drums, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Jan Erik Kongshaug, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Manfred Eicher, Producer - Selim Kusur, Ney Flute, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Setrak Sarkissian, Drum, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Rabih Abou-Khalil, Composer, Oud, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1988 ECM Records GmbH, under exclusive license to Universal Music Classics & Jazz - a division of Universal Music GmbH
Glen Velez, Drums, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Jan Erik Kongshaug, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Manfred Eicher, Producer - Selim Kusur, Ney Flute, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Setrak Sarkissian, Drum, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Rabih Abou-Khalil, Composer, Oud, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1988 ECM Records GmbH, under exclusive license to Universal Music Classics & Jazz - a division of Universal Music GmbH
Glen Velez, Drums, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Jan Erik Kongshaug, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Manfred Eicher, Producer - Selim Kusur, Ney Flute, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Setrak Sarkissian, Drum, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Rabih Abou-Khalil, Composer, Oud, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1988 ECM Records GmbH, under exclusive license to Universal Music Classics & Jazz - a division of Universal Music GmbH
Glen Velez, Drums, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Jan Erik Kongshaug, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Manfred Eicher, Producer - Selim Kusur, Ney Flute, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Setrak Sarkissian, Drum, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Rabih Abou-Khalil, Composer, Oud, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1988 ECM Records GmbH, under exclusive license to Universal Music Classics & Jazz - a division of Universal Music GmbH
Glen Velez, Drums, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Jan Erik Kongshaug, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Manfred Eicher, Producer - Selim Kusur, Ney Flute, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Setrak Sarkissian, Drum, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Chafik Kamel Ahmed, Author - Wahab Abdul Mohamed, Composer - Rabih Abou-Khalil, Arranger, Oud, Work Arranger, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1988 ECM Records GmbH, under exclusive license to Universal Music Classics & Jazz - a division of Universal Music GmbH
Glen Velez, Drums, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Jan Erik Kongshaug, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Manfred Eicher, Producer - Selim Kusur, Ney Flute, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Setrak Sarkissian, Drum, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Rabih Abou-Khalil, Composer, Oud, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1988 ECM Records GmbH, under exclusive license to Universal Music Classics & Jazz - a division of Universal Music GmbH
Glen Velez, Composer, Drums, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Jan Erik Kongshaug, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Manfred Eicher, Producer - Selim Kusur, Ney Flute, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Setrak Sarkissian, Drum, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Rabih Abou-Khalil, Oud, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1988 ECM Records GmbH, under exclusive license to Universal Music Classics & Jazz - a division of Universal Music GmbH
Album review
Recorded in Germany by Beirut native Rabih Abou-Khalil, this moody, atmospheric album is more like a soundscape than a collection of songs. Abou-Khalil's primary instrument is the oud, a lute-like instrument traditionally used in Arab music. This low, sweet-toned, obviously Far Eastern instrument is teamed up with nothing more than Arab drums in most of the songs. Sparse vocals, performed by Selim Kusur, do little to create any discernible melody. Instead, they add texture and effect -- or an intro in the case of "Incantation." Upbeat songs such as "Awakening" are carried along by the drums, while the melancholy sound of the oud dominates introspective tracks such as "Nafas." This album is a far cry from the complex, percussion-heavy, often slightly jangly albums that usually make it to the world music section in Western record stores. It is also unlike the techno-influenced worldbeat albums that found popularity amongst certain club circles. It is a wistful, lonely album. Its simple, spare instrumentation is its distinguishing feature; after listening to dozens of over-produced, musically complex albums, this one comes as a bit of a relief. Though certain world music experts consider Abou-Khalil to be an innovator within his subgenre, his music sounds neither new nor old. It's hard to fit within any time frame.
© L. Katz /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 10 track(s)
- Total length: 00:50:11
- Main artists: Rabih Abou-Khalil Selim Kusur Glen Velez Setrak Sarkissian
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: ECM Records
- Genre: Jazz
© 1988 ECM Records GmbH ℗ 1988 ECM Records GmbH
Improve album information
Why buy on Qobuz...
-
Stream or download your music
Buy an album or an individual track. Or listen to our entire catalogue with our high-quality unlimited streaming subscriptions.
-
Zero DRM
The downloaded files belong to you, without any usage limit. You can download them as many times as you like.
-
Choose the format best suited for you
Download your purchases in a wide variety of formats (FLAC, ALAC, WAV, AIFF...) depending on your needs.
-
Listen to your purchases on our apps
Download the Qobuz apps for smartphones, tablets and computers, and listen to your purchases wherever you go.