This album of largely traditional Tunisian vocal music from
Sonia M'Barek, a relatively new master of the form, is a recording of a concert given by
M'Barek in Germany.
M'Barek specializes in something akin to a chamber ensemble, with a few musicians backing her vocals. This is generally done with some virtuosity on this album, making it a worthwhile listen for any fan of Arabic musics. The one thing that
M'Barek makes a point of is the avoidance of contemporary tendencies toward electronic accompaniment and non-meaningful lyrics. From this, the fundamentalist listeners should be somewhat pleased. Beyond this, the album is a generally enjoyable experience, if somewhat monotonous from time to time. Pick it up as a fan of the Arabic vocal traditions, but go for a more comprehensive compilation as a newcomer. ~ Adam Greenberg