Search - Maleem Abdellah Ghania :: Invocation: Gnawa Music of Essaouira

One part musical anthropology, two parts music

Gene Ric | Toronto | 07/30/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"At it's most basic level this recording represents the finest example of field recordings available. David Castellan deserves significant recognition for this remarkable recording. We are presented with an honest, thoughtful, and insightful selection of songs and performance that make up a portion of the music of the Gnawa people.First off, the impact of the recording can not be underestimated. To have this living example of this cultures' music is exceedingly rare, even more rare to have one presented with little or no western embellishment. To hear the pure sound of a cultures' most intimate music is truly a gift. What we are presented with is a selection of songs that showcase not one mans' (Abdelah Ghania) spirit, but the spirit of the Gnawa people.The subtle, trance-like state that is invoked from listening to this recording is reminiscent of great recordings by Middle Eastern, East Indian and African artists (artists of the long view, the drone...) and the great recordings by David Lewiston. If you are unfamiliar with Lewiston's recordings, it would behoove you to find his recordings on the Nonesuch label. The drone, the even tempo, the subversive quality of Ghania's playing is worthy of so many re-listenings it's almost overwhelming.I have been listening to this recording for about a year, and every time I listen to it it provokes me into thinking about topics, things, states of being that I'm unaccustomed to, it sends blood to the tips of my fingers and charges the air around me. Any fan of Gnawa music should get this recording without hesitation, any fan of African music should add this to their collection, any indigenous music fan should consider this a document to treasure. There is nothing here to dislike and there is everything here to gain. The truth is in the listening, listen...please."