Reviews
Artist:Koum Tara Album: Baraaim El-Louz
Label: Odradek
Tracks: 9
Website: https://propermusic.com/products/koumtara-baraaimellouz
Both Koum Tara (Come and see) and the title of their second album BARAAIM EL-LOUZ (The Buds of the Almond Tree) are quotes from poems by 18th Century Algerian Poet Mohamed Bendebbah. Sitting here in a short British winter day, curtains drawn against the evening dark. Both the exotic mix of Algerian Chaabi and Jazz music with its feel of North African heat and life and the imagery of the tree, which the band identifies as a image of spring and renewal are compelling. Written during 2020's time of confinement, the music, by singer Hamidou, band director Karim Maurice and some older material drawn from the Chaabi tradition is very evocative. Even more so in the hands of the orchestral eight piece band, mixing strings, keyboards, percussion, bass and an array of stringed instruments.
"Kifech Nensa" starts cinematic then moves into an upbeat song with a lively swing driven by Brice Berrerd's bass. It is the first demonstration of the wealth of music that underpins Koum Tara. The band's four string players keep those sweeping film score sounds going on in "Corona Chitana" and "Ana Aandi Qalb". They contrast with Karim Maurice's jazzy piano and Hamidou's vocals, especially tender and heartfelt on the second love song. "Houria" has a fine string and piano melody running through it which Hamidou's nimble vocal follows effortlessly. Mahboub Bati was considered one of the 1970's pioneers of Chaabi, North African Folk music, Koum Tara's version of his "Khayef Allah" (I Fear God) is superb with Hamidou building from tender to heartfelt. Musically the band slip in a trance like section in the middle. Cheh Ya Qalbi" is another strong, almost hypnotic tune with sensitive piano and some almost telepathically tight playing between the strings, the rhythm section and the vocals. The eight piece's arrangements are full of surprises with room for some inventive electronic keyboard runs from Karim. "Istikhbar Rami Maya" has the melody moving between Hamidou's expressive voice and an equally evocative banjo. "Wach Aadabni" brings back the lush full band with a full on pulsing melody behind the words in another Bati song about pride. "Zidane" is evidence of the universality of music, as after a cinematic sc-fi intro the traditional Algerian tune grows into piano led pastoral jazz underpinned by Kamal Mazouni's percussion and Karim's exotic keyboard textures.
From the full on story telling octet's lush cinematic sound, via a dustier pared back more folky sound, all underpinned by a lyrical piano, bass and percussion jazziness this is a album of melodies, warm vocals and surprises.
Marc Higgins
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The Fatea Showcase Sessions are a series of downloads featuring acts that we've really enjoyed and think that more people should get the chance to hear.
Pirate is the current session and features 16 fantastic artists check out the website to find out more about them and download your copy
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