ECM Records Anouar Brahem: Conte De L'Incroyable Amour

1991.
Anouar Brahem - oud
Barbaros Erkose - clarinet
Kudsi Erguner - nai
Lassad Hosni - bendir, darbouka

editie Touchstones - format mini-vinil replica, coperti gatefold, cartonate

ECM website: "Tunisian oud master Brahem invites two Turkish musicians into his soundworld, ney player Kudsi Erguner, from the Sufi tradition, and clarinettist Barbaros Erkse, an exponent of Romany gipsy music."

AllMusic:
"Conte de L'incroyable Amour is Tunisian composer and oud virtuoso Anouar Brahem's follow-up to his excellent ECM debut, Barzakh. Like its predecessor, this release contains original material that mixes Arabic music and jazz improvisation and features a stellar band comprised of some of Turkey's finest musicians (this time out Brahem is joined by clarinetist Barbaros Erkose, nay (reed flute) player Kudsi Ergune, and the percussionist from Barzakh, Lassad Hosni). In contrast to Barzakh's livelier mood, though, the sound here is more meditative and even stark at times, especially on solo flights by both Brahem ("Iram Retrouvee") and Erkose ("Etincelles") and by way of Erguner's ethereal improvisations ("Diversion"). The pace picks up on the sympathetically played and joyous ensemble piece "Conte de L'incroyable Amour" and on the impassioned Brahem and Erkose duet, "Nayzak." ECM's typically sparse and airy production compliments Brahem's ascetic material without making it sound too dry. A wonderful album that, upon repeated listening, reveals many transcendent moments."