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Avishai Darash featuring Marmoucha Orchestra: Andalusian Love Song

By Mark Sullivan
March 3, 2022
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Avishai Darash featuring Marmoucha Orchestra: Andalusian Love Song

Israeli pianist & composer

Avishai Darash

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Avishai Darash has always made a deliberate effort to combine his Middle Eastern heritage with Western influences. He considers Andalusian music to be the origin and core of Western music; this album is a love song to that music and its journey and evolution from the MENA region (Middle East and North Africa) and into southern Spain. On this album Darash leads his largest ensemble on record, the Marmoucha Orchestra which is essentially a chamber orchestra, with brass, woodwinds and strings, along with a jazz rhythm section, oud and percussion.

The title tune opens the set with a sprightly dance rhythm and a sinuous melody which features the composer's piano, along with a full array of orchestral colors. Trombonist Pablo Martinez takes a commanding solo, capped off by a brief restatement of the theme. "Kartana" slows things down with a lyrical orchestra theme, then makes space for Mohamed Ahaddaf 's oud solo. "Longing-Sadness" focuses on the strings, but again features the oud in a solo role. "Twishya Hijaz El Kbir" is distinguished by

Arin Keshishi

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">Arin Keshishi's bass solo, as well as a percussion section spotlight.

"Prakriti" is a rhythmic workout for the piano and the rhythm section, showcasing Darash's piano playing as well as

Yoran Vroom

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Yoran Vroom's drums (along with the other percussionists). "Mohamed's Blues" also focuses on the core band, including another bass solo. "The Day After" reintroduces the whole orchestra, with the strings, brass and woodwind instruments making a strong impression. "Arriving Home" concludes the album with an upbeat rhythmic groove, an exciting ending to a powerful multifaceted collection of music. Darash's best album to date, Andalusian Love Song continues his evolutionary path as composer and pianist.

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Track Listing

Andalusian Love Song; Kartana; She's The Perfume In The Wind; Longing-Sadness; Twishya Hijaz El Kbir; Prakriti; Mohamed's Blues; The Day After; Arriving Home.

Personnel

Avishai Darash

piano

Mohamed Ahaddaf

oud

Jessy Hay

guitar

Arin Keshishi

bass

Emad Ghajjou

percussion

Udo Demandt

percussion

Yoran Vroom

drums

Maripepa Contreras G��mez

oboe

Maria Cristina Gonzales

flute

Gidon Nunez Vaz

trumpet

Claudia Valenzuela

violin

Sophie de Rijk

violin

Oene Van Geel

viola

Lucas Stam

cello

Additional Instrumentation

Avishai Daarsh: piano, compositions, arrangements; Pablo Martinez, trombone; Mohamed Ahaddaf: ud; Emad Ghajjou: darbuka; Udo Demandt: world percussion; Maripepa Contreras Gamez: oboe, arrangement for ��The Day After;�� Claudia Valenzuela: 1st violin; Sophie De Rijk: 2nd violin.

Album information

Title: Andalusian Love Song | Year Released: 2022 | Record Label: Marmoucha/SENA

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