There's nothing like the sound of a Maghrebi orchestra in full flight, especially with an excellent singer, and this album gives both, and a little more. Moroccan vocalist
Karima Skalli is a classical singer who does full justice to this new suite by
Lotfi Bouchnak (a wasla is a classical Arab suite). There vocal and instrumental pieces link together, but
Bouchnak has added his own modern twists, bringing in unusual instruments like the saxophone to fill out the ensemble, and participates on a duet with
Skalli on "Ghannaya Fanna," where he acquits himself very well. The love poems that make up the lyrics resolve in a happy ending, and throughout
Skalli has a beautifully controlled voice with a lush tone. On the basis of this, she's a gem who deserves much greater exposure, one with a great future.