RABIH ABOU-KHALIL — The Cactus of Knowledge (review)

RABIH ABOU-KHALIL — The Cactus of Knowledge album cover Album · 2001 · World Fusion Buy this album from MMA partners
3.5/5 ·
Sean Trane
Sometimes hailed by RA-K fans as his definitive statement, The Cactus of Knowledge is one of Rabih's livelier albums in his vast discography. Whether the title is a joke or not, we can see the main (and more numerous than usual) musicians taking turn sitting in a sofa next to a horrible toy cactus in a studio hall.

The album develops a Klezmer-Gypsy Jazz feel, a consequence of an 8-man brass section, not just in the opening two tracks, goes even further in the Got To Go Home piece. The opening Lewinsky March has some wild brass exchanges between the lead horns and the rest of the section. The Gypsy/Klezmer ambiances are generally very upbeat and happy, sometimes fairly complex, and approach Miriodor or Alamaailman Vasarat's works, but it doesn't develop their energy, partly because the latter two don't hesitate to go electric when needed. Probably the album's apex is Oum Said (probably a reference to the legendary Egyptian singer Oum Kalsoum) but I also find Malyese Chicken farm to my liking.

While this joyous Klezmer-circus-like music is rather dominant, it doesn't stop the other more Eastern "ethnic" music influences to permeate the album's soundscapes, most notably on Fraises & Crème Fraiche. Also worthy of notice is Ma Muse M'Amuse (my muse amuses me), where Courtois' cello is really on the forefront.

Cactus is a typical RA-K album, maybe a tad more than others due to the vast amount of wind instruments that have invaded his musical imagination. One of his better works, but not my favourite, despite some wild moments; but it should please most newcomers and confirmed fans.

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