A-Andalus Prod. Tarik & Julia Banzi Al-Andalus : Illumination (US/..,1996)****
The introduction on this album speaks of the Islamic empire in Spain between the 8th and 15th century which allowed to a degree different worlds to meet (from Christian, Muslim, Jewish and other belief systems) until the pope established the inquisition and the groups were never to meet this way again ever since. Of course, if you wish anyone can create a new occasion for a meeting point. In this case this band is a musical meeting point that refers to that period. It is new world music with some improvisation.It was formed by Tarik and Julia Banzi in Spain in 1986, but was officially founded in 1989 in Portland, Oregon. The members differ between a duo and a nine piece outfit. It includes contributions with North African, Sephardic, Hispanic, Persian and South Indian backgrounds. We hear Indian singing (in Sanskrit or Tamil), mixed with oud, flamenco guitar and jazz piano and Spanish vocals (Ladino/Castillian, Spanish), clay and water percussion and some Indian and Arab percussion. It’s great to hear the music instrument styles mix so easily with a bit of openness in the imptrovisation (in one track even an electric guitar was allowed). Highly enjoyable positive music.
