Jazz at Berlin Philharmonic XVII: Gnawa World Blues is a homage to American blues and jazz and in places even a bit of prog rock. It is a love letter sent from north Africa that was recorded during a live show in Germany. It has a beguiling amount of musical talent and to top it all it is a great live recording with an excellent sound quality.
The album’s protagonists are blues, rock and jazz aficionados, of that there is little doubt. Morocco-born Majid Bekkas (oud, guembri and vocals), Franco-Vietnamese Nguyên Lê (electric guitars) and American Hamid Drake (drums and percussions) pay homage to music that spans a wide range and includes nods to John Lee Hooker, Jimmy Hendrix and in places guitar licks that are reminiscent of Jeff Beck and even Joe Satriani.
A little native Saharan music and language (Gnawa) is sprinkled into the mix, it compliments a bluesy jazz bass drift, and in places a sound of blues rock guitar side by side with Oud and Guembri.
Ascending Dragon is sung in Gnawa but its heart and soul are planted somewhere close to the Mississippi delta and the sound of US blues rock. It follows a rendition and a loving tribute to one of John Lee Hooker’s most famous tunes; Boom Boom as well as a great salute to Jimmy Hendrix’s Purple Haze.
The trio is adept at switching styles and feel with ease, and the love and respect for African and the American musical cultures, is always in evidence. There are no parodies or hints of sneering at either.
ACT‘s 24bit/48kHz download sounds great, with instruments planted in a deep space clearly and solidly, perfectly positioned for a private concert on one’s own stage. Gnawa World Blues is a highly recommended soundtrack to celebrate the long evenings and late light of nearly summer.
Reuben Klein