ANOUAR BRAHEM — Thimar (with John Surman / Dave Holland) (review)

ANOUAR BRAHEM — Thimar (with John Surman / Dave Holland) album cover Album · 1998 · World Fusion Buy this album from MMA partners
5/5 ·
idlero
'Thimar' is Anouar Brahem fourth ECM release as a leader.Despite having in the line-up two top jazz players as John Surman and Dave Holland, 'Thimar' isn't really a jazz album but probably comes closer to jazz than any of his other albums. It is one of those ECM albums with beautiful music that some jazz purists love to hate ( no drumming, not innovating enough, music too beautiful, etc...). Their loss.

Nine of the tacks are Brahem's compositions in which he provides plenty of room for improvisation. The two non Brahem compositions ( 'Mazad' composed by Dave Holland and 'Kernow' by John Surman) proove just how well the guest musicians(who come from very different backgrounds than Brahem's ) connected to the album's spirit.

With three virtuoso players like Anouar Brahem, John Surman and Dave Holland ECM couldn't go wrong.In Germany, 'Thimar' received the “Preises der Deutschen Shallplattenkritik , the English magazine Jazz Wise named it “Best jazz album of the year” and the trio still tour the globe with 'Thimar' .

Stunning music that is hard to describe ( "East meets West" is a too simplistic definition), the best way is to experience it as someone said.Pure beauty that can make you an addict.

'Thimar' (together with "Astrakan Cafe' and "Le Pas Du Chat Noir')is one of Brahem's best albums (I guess everyone has his favourite, for me it is hard to pick one winner from these three masterpieces). Music that should be explored by more than just world music lovers.
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