JVC WORLD SOUNDS (SUDAN) MUWASHSHAH

by Alex HendersonOne of the many excellent albums he's recorded, Muwashshah offers abundant proof that when it comes to Middle Eastern and North African music, Hamza el Din is as impressive a musician as he is a singer. El Din's soulful vocals are something to treasure, but even if he did no singing whatsoever, his oud playing on hypnotic gems like "Assaramessuga," "Gala 2000," and "Bint Baladna" would make the CD worth the price of admission. The oud is a very recognizable lute that has been prominent in traditional Arabic music for centuries -- anyone who has spent time listening to traditional Middle Eastern music has more than likely been exposed to the oud at some point -- and el Din's mastery of it is undeniable. Thankfully, one doesn't have to choose between el Din's singing and his oud playing; both do their part to make Muwashshah the triumph that it is.