The Band Beyond Borders: Fertile Paradoxes

When guest Kaushiki Chakraborty launches into a three-and-a-half octave taan, the rapid virtuoso hallmark of her mesmeric Hindustani vocals, listeners will be forgiven for thinking they are in for a rare treat. In ‘Spleen’, this album's opener, Tunisian brothers Amine and Hamza Mraihi blend in their respective oud and qanun lutes seamlessly with the Indian singer's classical melody, as their Band Beyond Borders build up a moving tapestry into a powerful crescendo. ‘Oh light of life, shine ceaselessly,’ sings Chakraborty, with controlled passion.

Alas, that light does not radiate into the rest of this inconstant and long seventh release by the brothers Mraihi. The pedigree around them is indisputable. Alongside a tight band, they have also invited guests of the calibre of cellist Vincent Segal, accordionist and singer Vincent Peirani and clarinettist Ismail Lumanovski. But there is a feeling of déjà entendu in the too-smooth renditions of world jazz, in which the ghosts of John Surnam and Anouar Brahem lurk uncomfortably. Only when Chakraborty returns for ‘The Quest’ do we feel these explorations really discover new territory. A shame, given the widely-acclaimed dexterity of these two brothers.