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Eddie Thomas
Subba-Cultcha.com
(UK)
The deal here is that Raquy Danziger, a classically-trained pianist now internationally known for
her skill with the dumbek (a Middle Eastern instrument often called a tabla) has formed a world music
group with her husband Liron Peled and others, and based themselves in New York. Owing to the
backgrounds of the musicians involved, and the instruments they wield, their music is very much in
the tradition of Middle Eastern music. But their approach, borrowing from the drama and power of the
rock tradition, sets them apart.
It’s certainly a change for me to hear an album based on the nai, riq, dumbek, bendir, zila, oud and
dahula, instead of guitar, bass and drums. Certainly my spell-check can’t cope. As a novice to this
kind of thing, I couldn’t hope to explain what part all the above instruments play, but I can tell you that
I like it. A lot. The sound is tied together and brought into (for me) more familiar territory with guitars, drums and
Moog synths, and it proves as dramatic and enticing a recipe as anything I’ve heard this
year.
“Jordan” certainly has a lot of appeal which could transcend the snobbery of the world music scene
and cross over to a broader appeal. I hope it gets the chance to do so.
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