CD OF THE WEEK

Anouar Brahem Souvenance (ECM)

Oud player Brahem does not claim that this two-disc set is directly influenced by the Arab Spring, but it has certainly imbibed some of the fragile, nascent hope of recent years in Tunisia.

When this one appeared on my doormat, I felt the excitement rise, awaiting the exotic, succulent string tones of the oud. With support from piano, bass, bass clarinet – and occasionally the Orchestra della Svizzera Italiana – it sounded warm and appealing.

But after playing the first disc, my reaction was, “Is that it?” There seemed hardly any substance.

A sense of uncertainty is what comes across, particularly in that disc, which is why it initially seemed so vacuous.

Now, it seems very different: themes are clearly stated, but come and go; all dappled with fragments of sound - a bass rumble here, a oud string picked there. I find myself almost holding my breath. Piano lines are central to this collection, at times more than Brahem himself, but everyone plays their part.

The opening piece of the second disc, “January” is perhaps the most substantial of all the tracks. It begins a bit like Tubular Bells, thanks to an arpeggiated piano riff, and picks up several further tunelets and everyone seems to have a go at working on the themes.

With the bass clarinet and piano working together like a more conventional chilled jazz track, “Like a Dream” similarly enjoys a definite structure.

The closest musical image I can conjure is Talk Talk’s Spirit of

Eden – a fragmented, uncommercial release that bewitches and reels me in with emotion above melody, except that Brahem’s work is graceful and hypnotic. Another reference point is the minimalist end of Jeff Johnson’s works.

I recommend typing ‘ Anouar Brahem January’ into YouTube to get a sense of its magic – but don’t watch the visuals first time round.

Is it world, jazz, classical or some hybrid? Whatever you call it, this release has worked its way thoroughly into my affections and is certain to be in my Best of 2015 shortlist.