The Guardian, (John L Walters), July 20, 2007
(4 stars) Infectious rhythms that shy away from simple
backbeats...integrating N.African music with the more sophisticated details
of contemporary jazz.
Album Description
The Algerian-born percussionist Karim Ziad has made his name
performing and recording with the likes of Cheb Mami, the WDR Big Band, the
Zawinul Syndicate and guitarist Nguyên Lê. For 'Dawi', his third album
under his own name, Ziad takes the listener on an adventurous journey in
the company of a group of musicians that reads like a who's who of jazz and
world music. He combines traditional rhythms and patterns from North Africa
with jazz and European and American sounds to creates a distinctive, unique
music of his own.
The percussionist, singer, and gumbri player is an engaged advocate of
genre-crossing projects that mix music and rhythms from the many styles of
North Africa and the world. But although he mixes styles he never forgets
his musical roots and his own origins - as he says: "I am a Berber."
Personnel:
Karim Ziad - (drums, percussion, vocals, gumbri, karkabou), Nguyên Lê -
(guitars), Frank Chastenier - (piano), David Aubaile - (Rhodes piano),
Michel Alibo - (electric bass), Karim Nazem - (lead rap), Linley Marthe -
(electric bass), Aziz Sahmaoui - (percussion/background vocals), Menni
Mohamed - (percussion/background vocals), Scott Kinsey -
(synthesizer/piano), Rani Krija - (keur, karkabou, tbel)