Omar Faruk Tekbilek: Tree of Patience
Alfa Music AFMCD126
Omar Faruk Tekbilek (ney, kaval, baglama, zurna), Arto Tuncboyaciyan (v. perc), Ara Dinkjan (oud), Hasan Isakkut (vln, kanun), Enrique Morente (v), Steve Roach (prog), David Darling (cello) and Brian Keane (g). Rec. date not stated


Turkish-born Omar Faruk Tekbilek has released 10 albums of meandering Middle Eastern folk music, and been honoured as a virtuoso and peacemaker. With an aesthetic both rooted in tradition and influenced by a wide range of contemporary motifs, Tekbilek describes his approach somewhat worryingly as cosmic. But with a CV of collaborations studded with such star names as Don Cherry, Ginger Baker, Hossam Ramzy, Trilok Gurtu and Youssou NDour, the multi-instrumentalist is than just the sum of his soundtracks. A penchant for left field instruments, ney flute, baglama lute, zuma oboe, oud lute has created a floaty, poignant Meditteranean sound that seems to fuse sound and spirit.

Here an all-star cast including the great flamenco vocalist Enrico Morente and ambient pioneer Steve Roach play on project that embraces Sufi melodies, Middle Eastern flavours and elements of folk and flamenco. Give the first two saccharine tracks a miss. But the rest, particularly Morente's Ole Aman, is sublime.

Jane Cornwell