Le Trio Joubran: AsFar (World Village/Ode)

 |   |  1 min read

Le Trio Joubran: Zawaj el Yamam
Le Trio Joubran: AsFar (World Village/Ode)

A previous album Majaz by these oud-playing Palestinian brothers was a Best of Elsewhere 2008 selection, so this one seems long overdue -- although I have just learned there was a live album in '09 which was aimed at the local market.

They are the fourth generation in their family of players and oud makers but, to these ears at least, do not sound so steeped in tradition as to be unable to move out from it. You wouldn't be surprised to learnt the Kornos Quartet, for example, was keen to play alongside them.

And this album -- with occasional vocal contributions by Dhafer Youssef -- really sees them stretch: the moody and atmospheric Douja is delivered over lightly tapped percussion (by Youssef Hbeisch) where the brothers take solo space which is mind and melody bending, and Sama Cordoba evokes Moorish Spain with dramatic flamenco passages.

The masterwork is the 15 minute improvised title track which opens with a low and slightly unnerving cello-like sound and gradually opens out into a raga-like piece with notes and melodic lines being explored.

The difference is of course that in a raga only one melody instrument usually takes the lead, here the three players entwine their lines and keep things tense and constrained until halfway through when the rhythms pick up and a roiling boil is steadily established -- but just when you think they are aiming for white heat . . .

The final piece, Masana, is the most traditional.

Le Trio Joubran are something unique and this mesmerising album deserves your serious attention.

Like the sound of this? Then check out this.

Share It

Your Comments

post a comment

More from this section   World Music from Elsewhere articles index

THE FAMOUS ELSEWHERE WORLD MUSIC QUESTIONNAIRE:  Tami Neilson

THE FAMOUS ELSEWHERE WORLD MUSIC QUESTIONNAIRE: Tami Neilson

What can we say about the wonderful Tami Neilson – a longtime Elsewhere favourite – that we haven't said before? She turns in exceptional albums (her most recent Don't Be Afraid... > Read more

Various: The Rough Guide to Latin-Arabia (Elite)

Various: The Rough Guide to Latin-Arabia (Elite)

To be honest, I never knew of this musical style which is a meltdown of belly dance, salsa and flamenco. But apparently . . . According to the liner notes on this exotic and upbeat collection... > Read more

Elsewhere at Elsewhere

The Martin Drew Band w. Brian Smith: Child is Born (1977)

The Martin Drew Band w. Brian Smith: Child is Born (1977)

For many decades Martin Drew - who died in 2010 -- was the go-to drummer in Britain. A partial list, which he drew up himself, of the people he'd played with included Lee Konitz, Woody Herman,... > Read more

BILLIE COMES TO TOWN (1999): The working life of pop princess

BILLIE COMES TO TOWN (1999): The working life of pop princess

You don't see it often and when you do it’s only briefly -- but it drains through Billie’s face for an instant. “Yeah, I’m really tired. I’ve been up since 5.30... > Read more