Kal Oud Tof Trio - Gazelle
Kal Oud Tof Trio - Gazelle
2002 | ASIN: B0000646FE | MP3 192k | 65 MB
Genre: Moroccan/Andalousi/Sephardic - Ethnic
The name of this group means "voice, oud, drum," and that is what this Israeli group features. Esti Kenan-Ofri is an Italian-born, classically trained soprano with a lilting, sweet voice; Armand Sabach is a Moroccan-born oud player who specializes in classical Arabic music; percussionist Oren Fried is an Israeli native with an extensive background in jazz. The result is a seamless and engaging collaboration that combines Hebrew liturgical poetry, Ladino and Arabic classical modes in a beautiful blend.
This CD brings together for the first time four different Moroccan Jewish musical repertoires which until now have been presented separately: Spanish women's songs from northern Morocco, sung in their original language, Haketia, the Ladino of the Jews of Northern Morocco; songs in the Jewish Moroccan Arabic dialect; Moroccan Jewish liturgical music; and classic Andalusian songs in Hebrew, a tradition which finds it's principal expression in "bakkashot' (petitions).
Kal Oud Tof Trio - Gazelle
Review of Ari Dawidow:
Most Jewish-Arabic music heard in this country, most commonly Israeli bands such as Habustan Avraham or the East-West Orchestra, or Davka, or Pharoah's Daughter, follows a model of sparse instrumentation, usually Oud and Percussion (and more, dependending on the group), and perhaps vocals. The literally named "Kol Oud Tof" (Voice Oud Percussion) Trio in Jerusalem strips the music down to its essentials. Led by the amazing voice of Esti Kenan-Ofri, the trio performs traditional Moroccan religious music, as well as songs from Jewish women's repertoire, Sephardic folksong, and classical Andalusian songs. The languages range from Haketia, the Ladino of Jews of northern Morocco, to Hebrew. The music is always soaring, always interesting. The words to some of the songs, such as "L'cha Dodi," are familiar, but the melodies are very different. In spareness and theme, songs such as "Tell my beloved" or "Sherifa" (about a Morrish Queen who chooses a Christian handmaiden who turns out to be her own long-lost sister), or the delightful "So Says the Bride" will often remind listeners of, say, the albums of the more folky Judith Cohen (who, not surprisingly, also spent time performing Moroccan Jewish music with Gerinaldo). To the casual or uninformed listener, this will sound like "Arabic Music," especially in the complex improvisational ornamentations of Kenan-Ofri's voice. The shock comes when text is recognized as Jewish, or when the words on some of the songs are recognized as Hebrew. It is also interesting to note that percussionist Oren Fried, here sounding entirely traditional, has also played with Israel's shock avant gardeist, Meira Asher, whose own pieces are grounded, in some ways, in this type of traditional musical storytelling and presentation). Although I personally prefer the heady strength of the orchestra behind, say, the Orchestre Andalous d'Israel, Kenan-Ofri's voice is a revelation, and the amazing oud and percussion support her well. This new release is a must for anyone interested in Jewish Moroccan music, or to Arabic music in general, or to anyone open to unfamiliar, beautiful, Jewish music traditions.
Tracks:
1 Dezile al mi amor (Tell my beloved)
2 Gazelle, my heart is parched
3 Joseph and Potiphar’s wife
4 Come, my friend
5 Oud solo
6 Sherifa
7 Ya melih (My perfect beloved)
8 Eliahu (elijah)
9 Bestow thy pity
10 Oh dove, where will you wander
11 My desire will blaze
12 Ansina dize la nuestra novia
13 Sham'a (The candle)
Download:
MP3 320k + cover scan (65 MB):
http://rapidshare.com/files/51..._Tof_Trio_-_Gazelle__2002_.rar