Master oud player and composer
Simon Shaheen
finds the perfect mix on this collection of
Mohammed Abdel Wahab
's pieces.
Wahab
's reputation looms large in Middle Eastern musical history; he set the standard for Egyptian music as a prolific writer -- many of his pieces found the perfect voice in
Umm Kulthum
-- and was a popular actor as well.
Shaheen
pays fine homage here with seven wonderful interpretations sparkling with oud and strings interplay. Thankfully, usually meddlesome producer
Bill Laswell
avoids making things sound like his old
industrial fusion
outfit,
Material
. ~ Stephen Cook