Sajrawy, Michel

Yathrib

Label: Oxella Music Country: USA

A rare world fusion improvisation record for our catalog, but Sajrawy is an excellent technical and melodic player who's improvisations steer from the sentimental into daring and encompassing work that keeps the essential spirit of swing and soul using modern instrumentation mixed with tradition instruments such as the oud and tabla. The city Yathrib, now called Medina and a part of Saudi Arabia, is of great significance to history of the Jewish and Arabic cultures. The Israeli born Sajrawy describes himself as a Christian "Arab" with connection to the Palestinian people. He points out that this recorded version of Yathrib brings Jews, Muslims and Christians together to create a sound experience, music, removed from the issues of faith and difference. A commendable spirit from an excellent and uplifting album of great melodies and grooves.