Conte De L'Incroyable Amour (1992)

"The Tunisian composer and oud virtuoso's follow-up to his excellent ECM debut, "Barzakh". Like its predecessor, it contains original material that mixes Arabic music and jazz improvisation and features a stellar band comprised of some of Turkey's finest musicians (clarinetist Barbaros Erkose, nay (reed flute) player Kudsi Erguner, and, as at "Barzakh", Lassad Hosni (perc)). 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." (Stephen Cook, Allmusic)