With the subtitle 'New perspectives on maqams, it's obvious that oud player plans on using the Arabic scales -- known as maqams -- in a slightly different manner. And often he puts them in different contexts, like the Armenian-flavored which bounces around gleefully with an accordion, or with its very touches. Inevitably the oud is the prominent instrument throughout, with an inventive but thoughtful and imaginative player. He also offer some excellent arrangements for his group, mixing Middle Eastern and Western instruments in an interesting fashion. There's also room for ; on for example, the oud and violin play off each other magnificently. What is doing is similar to the path of a few others, but it's all reinventing the tradition, which is necessary for it to move forward. ~ Chris Nickson