Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Tarek Yamani: Peninsular
Tarek Yamani: Peninsular
ByThe melancholic "Gates of Tears" opens on a somber note with bassist Elie Afif's unaccompanied and introspective lines. The ensemble's undulating refrains form the core of this cinematic piece that is laced with Near Eastern mysticism. Yamani thrills with his agile improvised flourishes that are quite lyrical and showcase his superb virtuosity. The individual expressions seamlessly emerge from and fade back into the main theme.
Equally captivating is the hypnotic "Ayyala Cubana." The haunting chants and heavy percussive rhythms are common to both the Omani traditional dance, the Ayyala, and the Afro Cuban Son. The passion and poetry that fill Yamani's own pianism are also rooted in the dual heritages of the tune.
At various moments throughout the recording guest musicians enhance the core trio's performance with local color. On the title track percussionists Ahmad Abdel Rahim and Wahid Mubarak drive the melody with their galloping beats. Over these infectious vamps, Yamani lets loose flowing, resonant chords. Drummer Khaled Yassine and his thundering kit together with Yamani's chiming notes and Afif's dark reverberations contribute a touch of elegant and delightful dissonance.
Elsewhere on the emotive "Al Qorbi Nasnas" vocalist Adil Abdallah articulates the intriguing lyrics with yearning ardor. Yamani's elegant solo on the quarter tone keyboard reflects the poignancy and wistfulness of this deceptively simple song.
With each project, Yamani continues to highlight the universality the musical language. This emphasis on the cross-cultural nature of creativity, particularly the spontaneous kind, is what makes his forays into fusion successful. Of course, his superlative artistry does not hurt either.
Track Listing
Indisar; Hala Land; Samrias; Qumairah; Al Qorbi Nasnas; Gate of Tears; Peninsular; Rastprints; Ayyala Cubana.
Personnel
Tarek Yamani
pianoTarek Yamani: piano, quarter tone keyboard; Elie Afif: acoustic bass; Khaled Yassine: drums; Wahid Mubarak: percussion; Ahmad Abdel Rahim: percussion; Adil Abdallah: vocals.
Album information
Title: Peninsular | Year Released: 2017 | Record Label: Edict Records