Treeg Salaam

The Sublime Frequencies label released a second LP by Group Doueh in time for the group's 2009 U.K. tour. It has been assembled like the previous one (Guitar Music from the Western Sahara): from old recordings (1989-1996) found in leader/guitarist Salmou Baamar's extensive cassette archive. Compiler Hisham Mayet discloses no information about the origin, date of recording, or performance context of the tracks selected; no ethnomusicological study or historical analysis, either. Just take what has been given and be happy. And happy you should be, indeed, for if not particularly generous or well-recorded, Treeg Salaam doubles the quantity of Baamar's music available outside Northern Africa. Side one opens with an introduction of the musicians, followed by a wicked wah-wah lead over group call-and-response ("Mon Binat Omum"). This side features four tracks, including the psyched-out "Nadi El Mohamed," where Baamar goes into overdrive with his guitar playing, a blend of African and Arabian lute techniques, and American psychedelic attitude. Side two features the 20-minute "Tazit Kalifa," a long jam that builds up slowly and develops almost raga-style, although the ornamented singing and relentless beat evoke Can performing a qawwali alongside Nusrat Fateh Ali Kahn's group. When it comes to long trance-inducing music, culture barriers crumble and similarities pop up everywhere. ~ François Couture, Rovi