[.ca] Le Blues De Khartoum

urban folk music:
With his roots in the music of the desert nomads of Western Sudan, where he was born in the region of Kordofan, Abdel Gadir Salim pioneered a mix of urban and folk music in the early 1970's, coming up with this marvelous hybrid of African, Arabic, and jazz; it incorporates some Western instruments, like the saxophone and accordion, and the music he writes is melodic, rhythmic, and mellow. Anyone who likes reggae or African music will appreciate Salim's talent, and find in his songs a lovely and kindred spirit. He is also an exceptionally sensitive oud player; my favorite tracks are the the final two, where he sings just to the accompaniment of his oud. "Maltul Hawak" is dedicated to his home, and is about the love he has for his land. Salim has toured Europe with his band of 7 "All Stars", and has received critical acclaim wherever he goes. The sound on this CD is good, as is the bilingual French/English booklet insert. Though it does not include lyrics, it has an explanation of the tonal complexities of the music, and a mini history of Sudanese folksongs. Relaxing, unusual, and beautifully performed, this is an excellent addition to any world music collection.

Pentatonic at its peak:
I think one of the main reasons Mr Abdel Gadir Salim managed to attract national and international listeners, is his unique ability to combine the pentatonic musical feature along with melow vocal abilites he's gifted with. The combination of known old sudanese instruments along with a modern style of play, attracted a world-wide audience. The rich lyrics reflecting a person longing to the beauty of western Sudan attracted a wider national audience. As a son of western Sudan I have great respect for Mr. Salim. As a son of The Sudan I thank him for such a positve image. And as a global music admirrer for music, I feel he adds a unique melow groove accepted by many.

• Rada Al-Qulayb (Give Me Back My Tender Little Heart)
• Bitzîd Min 'Adhâbî (She Increases My Pain)
• Ghannû Yâ Ikhwânî (Sing, O My Brothers)
• Jamîl Al-Sourah (The Beautiful Face)
• Ghâba Nawmî (I Can No Longer Sleep)
• Qidrechinna (I Am Destined to Love)
• Anâ Batrâki (I Am Under Your Spell)
• Maktûl Hawâk (Tied By Your Love)