Dhafer Youssef - Divine Shadows (2006)

Jazzland Recordings: 0602498772249 http://www.jazzlandrec.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=81&Itemid=31 * Dhafer Youssef: oud, vocal * Arve Henriksen: trumpet, electronics * Eivind Aarset: guitars, electronics, programming * Audun Erlien: bass, bass balalaika * Marilyn Mazur: percussion * Rune Arnesen: drums, programming * Jan Bang: programming * Oslo Session String Quartet Homepage: http://www.dhaferyoussef.com/ About Divine Shadows: http://www.dhaferyoussef.com/music/divine.htm http://www.dhaferyoussef.com/music/divine_text.htm Review ~~~~~ http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2006/apr/23/17 Stuart Nicholson The Observer, Sunday 23 April 2006 We're all in a hurry to get our fixes - the first sip of caffeine in the morning, fast food rather than sit-down meals, impatience to reach the hook of a favourite song. This desire for instant gratification has become ingrained into our culture. And now you've got 40 seconds to decide whether to pay for a download from an online music store. But what about music that you might not get in that time? Does it mean we're all doomed to remain in our comfort zones, never to be troubled with new or unusual sounds? For some, perhaps, that may be the case, but thankfully there are people who want new experiences, and Dhafer Youssef's music is a good place to start. A Tunisian-born singer who's been living and working in Europe since 1990, Youssef opens his soul and projects a thousand aching meanings inspired by the wisdom and spiritualism of the centuries-old Sufic tradition, resulting in music of such timeless beauty you can imagine it happening at any point over the last thousand years. It's the sound of humanity that resonates within us all, a universality that stirs something deep within that we never knew was there. And what Youssef does is imbue this sound with contemporary relevance by seizing the liberating potential of technology. Complemented by four ultra-hip Norwegian nu jazz musicians (Eivind Aarset, Arve Henriksen, Rune Arnesen, Audun Erlien), his ancient praise singing is played out against a new sonic backdrop coloured by fragments of electronic sounds, rhythms and samples, all of which ripple through the music. The result is what every artist wants to do (but very few indeed succeed in doing) - to create music of the past, the present and the future. Produced by post-Hendrix guitar wizard Aarset, whose incredible electronica-inspired textures perfectly frame Youssef's voice and oud playing (the Arabic lute), this highly personal world is perfectly complemented by the playing and singing of trumpeter Henriksen. One of Norway's most creative and compelling musicians, his trumpet can sound like a pan flute one minute, the next a Vindaloo-inspired fart; while his wordless vocals are sometimes used to echo Youssef's own and range from a dreamy tenor to an incredible falsetto that would give any castrato a run for his money. Add contributions from the Oslo Session String Quartet - who bolster melody lines and add gorgeous, ambient-sounding harmonies - and Youssef's fourth album, from the opening 'Cantus Lamentus' through the 11/4 groove of 'Eleventh Stone' to the haunting 'Postludium', is one that may not provide a quick fix but will supply lasting beauty. No prizes for guessing which I'd prefer. -- En castellano:

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Angri1 (2011-01-29)

many thanks for taking the trouble to upload

inyarakachewy (2012-08-13)

Thank you for the amazing upload! I really enjoy his music, but unfortunatly don't own the money to buy his amazing works.!