Brahem, Anouar (oud) - Voyage de Sahar, Le
Edison Award
Stereoplay, Die audiophile Jazz-CD
Classica-Répertoire, R10 Classica
The Gramophone (South Korea), Editor's Choice"Brahem is a marvellously lyrical musician and his long, ever-expanding melodies suit both his and Matinier's approach to their instruments. Couturier's role, by contrast, is to act as a fixed point in the landscape and allow his colleagues to travel always hopefully. It's hard to choose a favourite piece, though the opening "Sur Le Fleuve" is a beautiful statement of purpose and intent. But there are so many glorious moments. ... This is wonderfully evocative music, soaked in the atmosphere of places and time. Listening to "Été Andalous", one feels that dry, burning heat and sees that fabulous blue sky and the landscape and buildings shimmering in the sun."
(Jazzwise)
"Tunisian oud master Anouar Brahem casts a spell with his music. Blending jazz, flamenco, and Arabic traditions, he has become the Jimi Hendrix of this ancient instrument. ...
The atmosphere this music evokes is part smoky North African souk café and part cool Parisian jazz cabaret. Brahem's oud lines wind ever upward in a stylish, snaking arabesque of notes, seconded by the keyboards of his accompanists. This is strange, exotic music, thrilling, and stunning."
(Vintage Guitar)
"This music is difficult to describe, as it blends myriad styles and forms spanning several cultures and centuries, but it speaks to the heart directly with a beauty and profundity that only the most obtuse listener could remain indifferent to. ... Besides being a recording of extraordinary depth and dimensionality, Le Voyage de Sahar also serves as a master class to players of any stringed instrument, for Brahem's phrasing, articulation, ornamentation, and sense of space are often simply breathtaking."
(Frets Magazine)
Anouar Brahem, oud
François Couturier, piano
Jean Louis Matinier, accordion
Recorded February 2005