Rahim Alhaj: Under the Rose
On Under the Rose, Rahim AlHaj combines with the world-renowned guitarist Ottmar Liebert
to unite the ancestral Iraqi tradition with modern flamenco, celebrating and exploring the family
connections. Liebert, who has incorporated his own innovative ideas into the vocabulary of flamenco
—bringing electric bass, synthesizer, electronics, drum kit, and more into the mix—proves a
compelling musical foil to the ancient sound of the oud and AlHaj’s contemporary approach to the instrument.
Ably assisted by Jon Gagan (bass, keyboard), who also produced the CD, finding just the right textures
and contexts to illuminate this unique pairing, and Barrett Martin (percussion), these two musical masters
bring a fresh perspective to flamenco that echoes its distant past while perhaps anticipating its future.
Whether playing in call and response (“The Coin”), weaving two lines together in a rhythmic dance
(“A Storm Approaches”), experimenting with electronic embellishments (“Return to Andalusi
Recommended if you like
MUNIR BASHIR,
NASSEER SHAMA.