Nafas

Nafas is the only album that Lebanese oud master and composer Rabih Abou-Khalil ever recorded for ECM, and its beauties are all the more beguiling for being a singular encounter. With Selim Kusur (nay and voice), Glen Velez (frame drums), and Setrak Sarkissian (darabukka), he blends Arabic influences into a style born of resolute honesty and respect for life. Despite the virtuosity documented here, there is not a shred of ego to be found. Instead, ability is wielded like a key to a door, on the other side of which is a land of untouched wonder.