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CD Review
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Feminist Review, CD Review >>
Twenty-first-century Palestine probably isn’t the easiest place to start a band. But that’s where Le Trio Joubran – three virtuosi on the oud, a lute-like instrument that looks a little like a small, pregnant guitar – began, carrying out a family tradition that has made the three brothers global ambassadors for Arabic music. The haunting, hypnotic Majâz (Arabic for “metaphor) is their sophomore release with percussionist Yousef Hbeisch.
Eldest brother Samir Joubran has taught and recorded as a solo oudist for more than a decade; middle brother Wissam began performing with Samir in 1995 at the age of 12 and has become a master luthier; and Adnan, the youngest, joined his brothers for the trio’s first album, Randana, in 2005.
Except for “Min Zaman,” which includes a group chant, Majâz is instrumental. Its tracks are often structural slow burns, beginning with a relaxed, midtempo meditation on a progression or theme, then building in volume, intensity, and speed until the brothers sound as though they can’t possibly be playing with only six hands. While individuals take solos, their ability to play as one through seemingly spontaneous tempo changes is almost as impressive as the brothers’ individual virtuosity. In the Joubran brothers’ hands, the oud can sing high, tense phrases like a robust ukulele or zoom through scalar passages with an insectile buzz and agility. These dazzling displays of the instrument’s potential are only made better with Hbeisch’s relentless, spot-on grooves, played with hand drums and brushes.
In the West, our musical world is expanding with advances in communication and globalization. One day, it’s to be hoped that traditional instruments all over the globe will find such talented representation as the oud has in Le Trio Joubran.
-- by Alexandra Jones 04/05/08 >> go there
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