Search - Tarzagh & Othman Othmani :: Imzad Du Tassili N'Ajjer

Deep spiritual music

nadav haber | jerusalem Israel | 11/21/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The review was made for "Imzad Du Tassill" and not for the CD that shows here !
The CD features Tarzagh, an old Tourareg woman, playing a one string bowed instrument, and Othman, a Toureg singer.
The music is truly amazing. Often when I hear music from Africa or Asia I am excited about the originality and emotion, but rarely have I felt like I do when I listen to this CD. It ranks at the very top along with Hukwe Zawose of Tanzania.
The playing of Tarzagh is as strong as you will ever hear. I have a feeling that if Coltrane could have played like this he would have left everything he did and do it. I am sure this is also what Albert Ayler and Pharoe Sanders strove for in the 60's.
She does not play many notes, but the strength of everything she playes is overwhelming.
The singer is also amazing. His voice is as deep as any I have heard, and as flexible musically as the the music demands.
The music is all slow and piercing. This is the music of the mighty Sahara in its best.
A musician friend of mine was reminded of the Church moaning he heard in his youth in Chicago (in the 50's)when he heard this CD. This is a big compliment to Church music...
I recommend it to anyone interested in deep and challenging music."