esbe: Saqqara (New Cat/digital outlets)

 |   |  <1 min read

esbe: Saqqara (New Cat/digital outlets)

An album for those of the esoteric/world music/Enya/exotic soundscape persuasion.

Named for the oldest pyramid in Egypt, Saqqara, this album by London producer/singer and acclaimed acoustic guitaristt esbe here delivers a very seductive collection of ethereal songs within a dreamy, folkadelic atmosphere which often oozes sensuality (Carry Me Away which alludes to Cleopatra and Mark Anthony) but just as often allows her pure voice so soar above drones.

There's also touches of downbeat electronica here in the soundbeds but again her vocals – full of North African melismas, sometimes discreetly layered to create a choral effect – sit alongside djembe, tabla etc to create a warp and weft of voice and evocative, if sometimes, melodically familiar, string samples.

Some would rightly prefer more authentic music to represent this region, but that would be like criticising Clannad by saying their theme for the Robin of Sherwood TV series wasn't true to English music of the 12thcentury.

Esbe is using the myths, music, romanticism and styles of Arabic music – which she has studied and absorbed, along with the poetry of Rumi etc – to evoke an esoteric, folk-styled sound which is quite beguiling.

But selective about its audience.

Share It

Your Comments

post a comment

More from this section   Music at Elsewhere articles index

Males: Run Run Run/MalesMalesMales (Fishrider)

Males: Run Run Run/MalesMalesMales (Fishrider)

Attuned to elevating West Coast USA pop – with a twist of power-pop in the manner of the close-harmony Shoes – this Dunedin duo here add an early single (the likably chipper,... > Read more

Jools Holland and His Rhythm and Blues Orchestra: Rockinghorse (Rhino)

Jools Holland and His Rhythm and Blues Orchestra: Rockinghorse (Rhino)

The celebrity-guest collections and R'N'B Orchestra discs from Jools Holland have often been tasty but a few not entirely successful. This sometimes breathless rush of boogie-woogie piano, big... > Read more

Elsewhere at Elsewhere

The Rolling Stones; Crossfire Hurricane DVD (2014)

The Rolling Stones; Crossfire Hurricane DVD (2014)

About now many people might have been speculating on how brilliant -- or otherwise -- the Stones will be on their current tour . . . but as we know events conspired against it and the shows have... > Read more

Candy Dulfer: Funked Up Chilled Out (Heads Up/Elite)

Candy Dulfer: Funked Up Chilled Out (Heads Up/Elite)

Consumer law revolves on the principle of "fitness for purpose" and you won't catch this saxophonist out on that score: this double disc is as it says on the cover, one disc of funked up... > Read more