Distilled Extractions
Emad Armoush’s Rayhan
Afterday AA2401 (afterday.bandcamp.com/album/distilled-extractions)
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Bringing together the ensemble Rayhan for Distilled Extractions becomes a stroke of genius when paired with Emad Armoush’s lineup of traditional Arabic songs and original compositions. The ensemble – all veteran Canadian improvisors – have both the skill and the chemistry to explore beyond the basic songs to bring an evolutionary vision to the album. The result is simply beautiful.
Armoush’s oud, ney, and vocals lead the ensemble through these pieces but leave space for the group to expand with improvisations and occasional electronics, giving the album a modern feel but never losing the essence of the traditional tunes. Rayhan, comprising clarinetist François Houle, Jesse Zubot on violin and effects, JP Carter on trumpet, Kenton Loewen on drums (and Marina Hassleberg guesting on cello) is exquisite in their delicate balance and chemistry, but much could be also be praised for Houle’s perfectly balanced and creative mastering ensuring the primary focus and authenticity remains with the traditional songs.
The entire album flows seamlessly, enriched by the group’s improvisations, electronic explorations and occasional jazz influences, and I loved every track. From the opening improvisation of El Helwa Di, to Lahza, beginning with a breathtaking trumpet and effects solo before evolving into a rhythmic groove, to Zourouni, starting with a free improvisation featuring Houle’s clarinet at the forefront, the album effortlessly blends traditional and contemporary elements, eventually gathering the entire ensemble and bringing the album to a conclusion that left me seeking out where this group will be performing next.
