Electric Sufi - review

Tunesian-born Dhafer Youssef started singing in the Islamic tradition at age 5. His music is rooted in the Sufi tradition and other streams of mystical sounds but has always been wide open to other musical cultures including jazz. With his deeply affecting vocal style, a variable approach on the oud (the Arabic lute) and complex Arab-colored compositions, Dhafer Youssef is among today's shooting stars in this crossover field. His 1999 release Malak was an immediate success that cast its spell even over the critics (Stereoplay: CD of the month, Fono Forum: 5 stars). Swiss Peter Rüedi wrote: "In all registers, especially the high ones, this man is incredible. His expressivity blows away all possible reservations... He is a composer of distinction and great breadth of expression ranging from clinking dissonances to real hit tunes - simple but not kitschy, lyrical, expressive, intense and thoughtful."

With his new album, Dhafer Youssef takes a subsequent step on his way of fusing Arab traditions with contemporary sounds. Electric Sufi unites jazz improvisation, ethnic roots, funk grooves and electronics into a novel West-Eastern amalgam that echoes the general trends in today's world. Stockhausen's jazz/classical trumpet playing, Muthspiel's electric fusion guitar, Ram's Indian flute sounds, Cinelu's Caribbean rhythms, Ilg's solid jazz feel, Wimbish's electric groove, Calhoun's urban afro-funk and Packe's electronical soundscapes join in a multi-cultural network that is fresh and comprehensible at the same time. Dominated by the bewitching virtuosity of Dhafer Youssef's voice and the lyrical depth of his oud playing, this powerful album gives a great vision of our musical future.

Also recommended: Malak (ENJ-9367 2) with Markus Stockhausen, Nguyên Lê, Renaud Garcia-Fons, Deepak Ram, Zoltan Lantos, Achim Tang, Jatinder Thakur, Patrice Héral, Carlo Rizzo