Oriental Fusion (2000)

"The Trans Européennes series is dedicated to artists working on a music influenced by every kind there is in this world that could be labeled as traditional (versus pop music). This album, 25th in the collection, is conducted by an interesting, eclectic threesome: Hakim Hamadouche on vocals and mandolute, Ahmed Compaoré on drums, and Edmond Hosdikian on saxophone. Three musicians, three instruments, and three influences. Surrounded by Tom Cora, Barre Phillips, Guillaume Orti, and Fred Giuliani, these three comrades deconstructed all the cliché of (commercial) world music and centered their efforts on energy, improvisation, and experimentations. It is not jazz, traditional, nor world -- it is just there, as good and hot as the Mediterranean sun." (Allmusic)