Apocalypse Across the Sky

Amazon.com
Although they'd recorded for the Rolling Stones' Brian Jones and played with jazz supremo Ornette Coleman, Morocco's Master Musicians had never really been caught in true sonic clarity until producer Bill Laswell visited them in their village of Jajouka to document their music. And clear it is; the interplay of instruments, drums, and voices is captured with stunning fidelity, bringing their particular brand of trance music right into your living room. The musicians, under the leadership of Bachir Attar, are in superb form, doing what's been done for almost as long as history itself. They feel the music, making for a natural flow on Attar's compositions, which sound as old as the Rif Mountains where they're performed. If you want to hear the Master Musicians as they really are, this is the record to buy. --Chris Nickson

Tracks:

Gabahay
A Habibi Ouajee T'Allel Allaiya
El Medahey
Bujloudia 'Bujloudia Dancing With Aisha Qandisha'
Alalilla 'About The Night'
The Middle Of The Night
Bujloudia
Jajouka Between The Mountains
Memories Of My Father
Mohamed Diha Utalla Fiha (Take Care Of Her Or Leave Her)
Sbar Yagelbi Sbar
On Horseback
Talaha L'badro Alaina

Amazon.com

Although they'd recorded for the Rolling Stones' Brian Jones and played with jazz supremo Ornette Coleman, Morocco's Master Musicians had never really been caught in true sonic clarity until producer Bill Laswell visited them in their village of Jajouka to document their music. And clear it is; the interplay of instruments, drums, and voices is captured with stunning fidelity, bringing their particular brand of trance music right into your living room. The musicians, under the leadership of Bachir Attar, are in superb form, doing what's been done for almost as long as history itself. They feel the music, making for a natural flow on Attar's compositions, which sound as old as the Rif Mountains where they're performed. If you want to hear the Master Musicians as they really are, this is the record to buy. --Chris Nickson

Customer Reviews:

Dark, panic-stricken sounds from the mountains of Morrocco.......2000-07-16

I first heard this music in my friend's basement surrounded by a thick cloud of pot smoke. My God! Since then I've had the privilege to see them live at the Montreal Jazz Festival and now I'm hooked.

The people of Jajouka perform this incredible music in reverance to the Horned God Pan. The tracks range from mellow to manic, but always with a dark tinge. They use a type of horn that they play with sustained notes, nice and eerie sounding. And of course, rhythms to danse yourself into a frenzy.

This is some of the finest ritualistic music I've ever heard. Check out their other CDs as well.

Endurance Music.......1998-05-18

This music requires strength. The musicians must have the stamina to maintain extended notes and rhythms that can last for hours in their native performances. Using simple drums, pipes, and strings, the Master Musicians of Jajouka are legendary for their trance-induction ceremonies of wild abandon. These tracks are but tiny samples of their wares; still, they are rich, complex, and other-worldly.