RayJam

They Say...

Review by Michael G. Nastos, All Music Guide

Tunisian musician Nabil Khemir plays a double-necked lute/guitar, leading his quartet on this five-track EP, tracking in at just under 30 minutes. Calling this music worldbeat or ethnic fusion is accurate, but likely tells only part of the story, as it incorporates many subtle rhythms and harmonies that suggest his native folk musics, driven with a western style beat. It is a program of lively, energetic instrumentals, based on very short melodies leaving much room for improvisation. Of the compositions, all written by Khemir, "Nadam" is clearly the most intricate and complex, but tends to quickly move through whatever lead head there is, going right into the jamming. With electric keyboards, electric bass guitar, and drum kit, the quartet really assimilates the stance of an amplified contemporary jazz or rock band, "Gitane" being the most obvious similarity to that sound with its firmly centered 4/4 beat as a base for displaying impressive licks and chops. During the quick "Hanin," a distinction between the softer lute and harder edged guitar is quite easy to hear. "Hkaya" starts as a more traditional piece, with water sounds introducing the lute, making it clear that this group, far beyond others, has truly experienced many dreamy, exotic nights in Tunisia. What Khemir does not do is trade lines between the two necks of his instrument, à la what John McLaughlin used to do with his double six- and 12-string instrument. In a call-and-response counterpoint method, this is a vehicle that would serve the group sound well, especially impressive in live performance. This is a well-produced effort, and only a small prelude toward the music this band will eventually make.