Search - Richard Khuzami :: Fused

Powerful and Sensual Middle Eastern/ Modern Mix

Erika Borsos | Gulf Coast of FL, USA | 02/28/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Listening to the first few bars of the first track, there is a strong percussive rhythm on the darbuka (Richard Khuzami) with outstanding improvisation, soft keyboards, and an Arabic male singer creating the feeling of being in a souk (bazaar or market place) in the Middle East .. You immediately know you're in for a thrilling musical experience. If you love the pure sounds of Middle Eastern, Greek, Caribbean, Latin/Spanish, ambient New Age and world/ international music, you will love this CD. This CD is a rare combination of global music that has a rich texture and spicey flavor which is sensual, powerful, sometimes romantic, and often ecstatic. An astonishing number of people orchestrated this CD: 37 musicians and singers are listed in the liner notes, 6 mix engineers, and 6 who helped arrange various tracks! This CD is a spiritual journey into the past as well as a testament to the music of here and now, celebrating today and the future. As Richard Khuzami states in the liner notes, "We are a sum of those who precede us."



The second track, "Burn that Beat" is a lively modern city sound with underlying Spanish/ Latino influences. Track # 3 "Nothing Lasts" is a lyrical and poetic masterpiece enhanced by the smokey satin voice of Anath Benais who shares the spotlight with Duke McVinnie as they reminisce about changing fortunes and the spiritual journey of life. On this track the Middle Eastern violin creates haunting soul searching musical paths. Track # 4, "Go with Me" beckons the listener into experiencing each moment to the fullest, it tempts the listener to take risks, to turn fantasy into reality, to live with passion and desire ...The sensual voice of Malika Zarra reminds one of the sultry sexy siren Natacha Atlas at her very finest moments.



Track # 5 is one of my favorites which includes some meandering Greek clarinet music played by Lefteris Bournias, outstanding solos by Omar Faruk Tekblek who provides magical Mediterranean sounds on the baglama saz (lute-like stringed instrument). There is a superb sax intro by Tom Smith which creates unexpected spine-tingling sensations that are indescribable. Track # 6, "Malfouf" is another outstanding piece with Middle Eastern rhythms which predominate. It includes the ney, zurna, and guitar to round out the magical music. Track #7, "The Chase" is a male-female dynamic chase which reflects the eternal forces of what happens when the yin and yang energies collide! Track # 10, "Mayflower's Daughter" is a story which unfolds about a Manhattan princess/uptown girl and a Marrakech son/lover. It belongs on the Top 10 list of a radio station it is that great! The musician pleads no matter how different their lives seem, no matter how the eastern and western world views collide, all that matters is love and how it will sustain them ... The music, the sentiment and the message on this CD is phenomenal. It sends a sensual and powerful message about different worlds uniting rather than dividing ...Erika Borsos [pepper flower]"