Search - Toufic Farroukh :: Drab Zeen

Best mix of jazz and electronica ever-a fun masterpiece.

02/01/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Absolutely brilliant album. First time jazz and electronica have been combined in a totally cohesive, very enjoyable way. Countless interesting, appealing touches, from fervent jazz solos to atmospheric backings to African instruments to surprising twists and turns--this is a masterpiece, and one that is endlessly fun to listen to."

Toufic Farroukh, one of the smarter Arab-jazz artists . . .

Jan P. Dennis | Monument, CO USA | 05/02/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

". . . right up there with Dhaffer Youssef and Claude Chalhoub. More dance/trance/club-oriented than the above musicians, he nevertheless presents a very strong effort in the tricky cross-cultural world of Nu Arab jazz beat. I originally thought I liked the remixed version of his previous effort, Ali on Broadway, better than this disc, but I've changed my mind.Drab Zeen represents one of the finest examples of this important emerging new sub-genre, Arab-jazz. The genius of this disc is how Farroukh has effortlessly melded such disparate elements as jazz trombone and saxophone, chill-beats, French vocals, acoustic piano, oud, ney, and accordion into a singly tapestry of unique sounds, all the while retaining the essential elements of each instrumental voice even as he transforms the whole into something entirely new and heretofore unheard.Farroukh has grown in every facet of his music-making: tighter and more evocative compositions, a richer and more varied sound palette, cleaner production, superior sax blowing, and a deeper groove. An altogether remarkable disc. Highest recommendation."

Arab jazz-funk at its best

J. TIMMERMAN | Lawson, NSW Australia | 06/03/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Can't really go wrong with Toufic Farroukh - he's innovative, funky, stylish, interesting. Each of his albums is different from the others, and all arguably pretty much equally entertaining. The sound on this album is rich and exotic, a bit less jazzy and more funky than his previous albums, with lots of interesting soundscapes. If you have a liking for Arab fusion, this is one of the better albums around."