Alcantara

Edition: Audio CD

Genre:  Int'l & World Music  Pop Artists:  Amina Alaoui

Play all track samples  —  Stop Tracks: 1. Ode d'Ibn Arabi 2. Ya 'Ouchaq 3. Amours Our Trop Tard Me Suis Pris 4. Lamento de Tristan 5. Istikhbar Zidane 6. Ya Racha Fattan 7. Maravillosos 8. Baha Stibari 9. Ya Man Lahou 10. Batahouvat el Qama Bachahar 11. Hija Mia 12. Ya 'Adili Billah 13. Ya Mouqabil/Amchi Ya Rassoul 14. El Hourm Ya Rassoul Allah

Editorial review:

The ancient Andalusian poetry that Moroccan singer Amina Alaoui brings to radiant life in Alcantara has been in her family for generations. Her relatives sang the 500-year-old poems at gatherings and her grandmother murmured them while working on embroidery. The CD, whose title means "the bridge," takes listeners over time and land to the Muslim dynasties of medieval Spain and the music created there. This unique, melodious music along with Alaoui's aromatic voice makes Alcantara one of the best CDs of 1998. --Karen Karleski

Customer reviews:

Voice like a waterfall

Her voice is supple and rippling, you want to let it wash over you like a waterfall. Her improvisations are stunning.

Could have been better.

After her Gharnati cd (Ethnic, 6806), Alaoui's Alcantara came as a disappointment. This one suffers from poor material selection and poor instrumental support. Nevertheless, this cd has its good moments, such as the last track. For those starting to listen to Andalusi music, the Gharnati cd is a better choice.

Dazzling virtuosity

The clarity of Alaoui's voice is profound. Be careful when listening to the hauntingly beautiful 'Istikhbar Zidane'--it will stay in your head for weeks.