Rating:
Genre:
World
Release Date: 10/27/2009
The
Sublime Frequencies label released a second LP by
Group Doueh in time for the group's 2009 U.K. tour. This one has been assembled like the previous one (
Guitar Music from the Western Sahara): from old recordings (1989-1996) found in leader/guitarist
Salmou Baamar's extensive cassette archive. Compiler
Hisham Mayet discloses no information about the origin, date of recording, or performance context of the tracks selected -- no ethnomusicological study or historical analysis, either. Just take what has been given and be happy. And happy you should be indeed, for, if not particularly generous or well-recorded,
Treeg Salaam doubles the quantity of music by
Baamar available outside Northern Africa. Side one opens with an introduction of the musicians, followed by a wicked wah-wah lead over group call and response (
"Mon Binat Omum"). This side features four tracks, including the psyched out
"Nadi El Mohamed," where
Baamar goes into overdrive with his guitar playing, a blend of African and Arabian lute techniques and American psychedelic attitude. Side two features the 20-minute
"Tazit Kalifa," a long jam that builds up slowly and develops almost raga-style, although the ornamented singing and relentless beat evoke
Can performing a qawwali alongside
Nusrat Fateh Ali Kahn's group. When it comes to long trance-inducing music, culture barriers crumble and similarities pop up everywhere.
~François Couture, All Music Guide
;)
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