Aljaramani, Khaled / Athar/Impression
Album: Athar/Impression   Collection:World
Artist:Aljaramani, Khaled   Added:Dec 2013
Label:Institut Du Monde Arabe & Harmonia Mundi  

A-File Activity
Add Date: 2013-12-05 Pull Date: 2014-02-14 Charts: Reggae/World
Week Ending: Feb 16 Jan 26 Jan 19 Dec 22 Dec 15
Airplays: 1 2 1 1 1

Recent Airplay
1. Feb 27, 2014: Arabology
Athar/Trace/Impression
4. Jan 23, 2014: Arabology
Dhilal/Ombres/Shadows
2. Feb 13, 2014: Arabology
Improvisation In Rast Mode
5. Jan 16, 2014: Arabology
Farah/Joie/Joy, Dhilal/Ombres/Shadows
3. Jan 25, 2014: Music Casserole
Luqya/Trouvaille/Findings
6. Dec 20, 2013: Arabology
Farah/Joie/Joy

Album Review
Abu Ramses
Reviewed 2013-12-01
Khaled Aljaramani, Athar (Impression)
Institut du Monde Arabe & Harmonia Mundi (2013)
ALL TRACKS FCC CLEAN Reviewed by Abu Ramses

Born in Sweida, Syria (hometown of the great Farid El Atrache), oudist & composer Khaled Aljaramani taught at the Damascus Conservatory of Music. In 2011 he left for France, where he now makes his home. Instrumentals are inspired by dreamy & dramatic ”spiritual states”. Since 2003 Aljaramani has also collaborated with French electric guitarist Serge Teyssot-Gay (formerly of Noir Désir) as “Interzone.” Aljaramani situates his rebellion against “national music” in the tradition of Tunisian oudist Anouar Brahem (see Zookeeper).

I like them all. My faves: 1, 2, 4, 6

Tracks
1. Dhilal/Ombres/Shadows – After long intro, Aljaramani sings on this one – 6:54
2. Luqya/Trouvaille/Findings – delicate & pensive melody over the drone - 8:25
3. Farah/Joie/Joy – Faster paced, dramatic, guitar-style strumming - 4:56
4. Improvisation in Sama’i Bayati mode (maqam) – Builds on some traditional sequences, then walking bluesy & guitar-like - 6:44
5. Athar/Trace/Impression - 5:40
6. Nawa/Eloignement/Estrangement - mid-tempo & dreamy again - 5:57
7. Improvisation in Rast mode - Wanders far from traditional style but ends with a nod to “Bint al-shalabiyya” a Lebanese folk song sung by Fairuz – 6:49
8. Khayl wa-khayyal/Cheval et Songe/Horse & Dream – humming; hints of “non-tempered Bach” - 8:18

Track Listing
1. Dhilal/Ombres/Shadows   5. Athar/Trace/Impression
2. Luqya/Trouvaille/Findings   6. Nawa/Eloignement/Estrangement
3. Farah/Joie/Joy   7. Improvisation In Rast Mode
4. Improvisation In Sama?I Bayati Mode   8. Khayl Wa-Khayyal/Cheval Et Songe/Horse & Dream