The deep and soulful sound of Spanish flamenco is rooted in a unique
series of historical events and cultural overlaps that
stretch across centuries, reaching from India to the New World—none more
important than the Moorish conquest of the Iberian peninsula in the eighth
century.
Early in the Moors’ reign, an illustrious Iraqi oud player, Ziryab,
fled Baghdad in fear for his life, as the story goes,
and migrated to Córdoba, a cultural center of Al-Andalus
(Andalusia). He brought with him a profound musical heritage and a host
of innovations that laid the foundation for Spanish music. Among many
other things, he initiated an evolutionary process that led to the development
of the modern flamenco guitar.
The circle has come round again, and another
illustrious Iraqi oud player, Rahim AlHaj, has fled
political tyranny in Baghdad, carrying with him an
ancient musical heritage and a head full of innovative ideas. Among those
ideas is his determination to engage players across a wide range of musical
genres to explore the common language of music, which
reflects our common humanity.
On Under the Rose, AlHaj combines with the
world-renowned guitarist Ottmar Liebert to unite the
ancestral Iraqi tradition with modern flamenco, celebrating
and exploring the family connections. Liebert, who has incorporated
his own innovative ideas into the vocabulary of flamenco—bringing
electric bass, synthesizer, electronics, drum kit,
and more into the mix—proves a compelling musical foil to the ancient
sound of the oud and AlHaj’s contemporary approach to the instrument.
Ably
assisted by Jon Gagan (bass, keyboard), who also produced
the CD, finding just the right textures and contexts
to illuminate this unique pairing, and Barrett Martin (percussion), these
two musical masters bring a fresh perspective to flamenco that echoes
its distant past while perhaps anticipating its future. Whether
playing in call and response (“The Coin”), weaving
two lines together in a rhythmic dance (“A Storm Approaches”), experimenting
with electronic embellishments (“Return to Andalusia”), or hewing closer
to tradition (“Under the Rose”)—AlHaj and Liebert display a rare musical simpatía that
bridges cultures and genres.
This collection of 10 tracks—all
collaboratively composed by the four players—offers
a deep-soothing balm for the listener. From the most
energetic to the most profoundly contemplative, each track takes the
ears on a short, refreshing journey that reaffirms music’s magical powers
and the virtuosity of these splendid musicians.
— Mel Minter