Tawahhud (Autism)

Established in 2003 by Egyptian composer, musicologist and oud virtuoso Mustafa Said, Asil Ensemble aim to develop new Arabic music on the basis of the processes of classical Arabic music, and not by importing other musical systems and traditions. The results of this album, their third after Ruba’eyyat el Khayyam (2008) and Asil (2009), confirm the soundness of the idea.

Tawahhud (Autism) is inspired by the writing of Egyptian political prisoner Alaa Abd El Fattah, who has described a process of ‘adopting autism.’ He is quoted in the liner notes: ‘What's easiest isn’t the only question. Pay attention to what's richer, what's more beautiful, more just, more compassionate. What's better.’ This is a 48-minute suite, played without interruption but divided in five major movements, with the music weaving in and out of traditional Arabic modes (maqam) using alternative tunings. All 12 members of the band get to improvise solos on their 15 instruments, surprising us at every turn with their passion for performing the traditional forms and their daring conceptions in the improvised, open sections. This is where Arabic music meets Charles Mingus and Arnold Schoenberg, on its own terms.