Silk And Sand is a brilliant collaboration that spans a wide range of cultures and musical worlds. The playing by Lê and his band is that of musicians at the top of their game. Listeners are treated to a melodious fusion that marries sounds which are reminiscent of Hadouk Trio, King Crimson’s Discipline, Abdullah Ibrahim and in places guitar maestro Joe Satriani.
The musical tapestry is created by Nguyên Lê (guitars and synths), Chris Jennings (acoustic bass) who has collaborated on some notable albums, and Rhani Kriija (percussion, gumbri and vocals) who has played with Sting and Herbie Hancock among others. The trio is aided by Sylvain Barou (bansuri flute and duduk), Miron Rafejlovic (trumpet and flugelhorn) as well as Etienne Mbappé (electric bass).
Throughout the album Lê and his players offer fluent and creative narrative that never challenges or veers towards the pretentious or avant garde. The talent is evident from the first note and the musical performance meander effortlessly from North Africa to the Balkans and minor Asia via the middle east and southeast Asia. In places it is reminiscent of the haunting sounds played by Dan Berglund’s band on their Tonbruket album.
Stand out tracks:
Moonstone (track 4)
Thar desert Dawn (track 7)
Becoming water (track 9)
Reuben Klein