Chemsi

They might be a Belgium-based jazz-fusion group, but Hijaz turn out to be a little more intriguing than that might suggest. The multi-ethnic, multi¬instrumentalist collective have been making quite a name for themselves since the release of their debut album, Dunes, in 2008: constant gigging around Europe, with the occasional visit to the UK, has sculpted and refined their ‘Oriental jazz’ aesthetic. Chemsi (Sun) sees them deepening their musical dialogue between East and West, between jazz that’s simultaneously Mediterranean, European and Middle Eastern, while further exploring the connections between theme and improvisation.

A plethora of instruments add texture and colour: piano, oud, drums, duduk, bendir and the always glorious ney flute. Opener ‘Hems’ begins slowly and delicately, with Niko Deman’s piano keys placed just so, after which other instruments including bass and tbila drum spring onboard, converging to create a trance rhythm underpinned by some creative whispering vocals. The bass-driven ‘Sidi Bou Said’ is a forward-looking composition that experiments with rhythmic patterns and time signature. The impressive title-track, a complex Arabic rhythm with a 7/8 beat, is flecked with Balkan touches. An intelligent, compelling album.