Albums
For more information about each Weave Records release, click Read More or select from the menu below.
- Album
- Angels and Satellites
- Days Distinctive
- Ivan's Dream
- Rocking Horses
- Sabroso Mambo
- Steps in the Snow
Days Distinctive
Drawing on firm roots in both Middle Eastern music and Flamenco, Haddad's compositions take the listener on an instrumental journey through Andalusia and the Middle East, conveying a sonic experience that can only be described as his own.
Haddad’s work has featured on BBC Radio 3, Radio 6, Radio Scotland and Resonance FM. He has performed in the UK, Europe, USA, Middle East and India to much acclaim, and has appeared on several Middle Eastern TV Channels. In April 2010 he was the subject of an hour long documentary on Arabic TV Channel AL-Fayhaa that highlighted his innovative new approach to the Oud.
With some of the UK’s finest musicians in their respective fields, Haddad’s ensemble includes Flautist Philippe Barnes, Cellists Ben Davis and Naomi Wright, Double Bassist Matt Ridley, and Percussionist Vasilis Sarikis.
Days Distinctive was written and produced by Haddad. With a strong desire to show the Oud’s versatility outside its traditional role, he casts his players across a diverse musical landscape including Flamenco, Jazz, Middle Eastern and Contemporary music, combining these naturally as a modern evolution of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern instrumental music.
Improvisation is of central importance to the ensemble. Against a backdrop of Middle Eastern Maqams (modes) and Flamenco Rhythms, a prevailing Jazz ethos still allows each musician a great deal of freedom. The result is fresh, accessible and will appeal to a very wide musical audience.
Attab Haddad - Oud, Palmas / Philippe Barnes - Flute / Matt Ridley - Double Bass / Naomi Wright - Cello / Ben Davis - Cello / Vasilis Sarikis - Percussion / Fanar Haddad - Khishbah / Ramon Ruiz - Flamenco guitar / Genevieve Wilkins - Cajon, Percussion and Palmas / Sabina Rakcheyeva - Violin / Kit Downes - Piano
Reviews
“It is rare to find a musician who, on his debut recording, is already confirming his stature as one of best ones in his field. London-based/Iraqi-descended oudist Attab Haddad is such a musician, honing his knowledge of the traditional Arabic legacy with oud masters including Iraqi Ahmed Mukhtar and Egyptians Nihad El-Sayed and Nasseer Shamma. He is also a member of violinist Sabina Rakcheyeva's neo-classical ensemble and a founding member of the flamenco-Arabic-Indian group Alcazaba.But it is his innovative new attitude to the oud that marks him along other great contemporary players such as Anouar Brahem and Rahim Al-Haj, Haddad's complete mastery of the instrument—with a poetic personal musical language and natural sense of openness— organically placing it into new genres such as chamber jazz, flamenco and contemporary music. This comes together with strong and fresh compositions, wise arrangements that leave enough room for all the melodies to blossom, and the wisdom to find the right musicians to enhance Haddad's vibrant musical vision.
This recording features Haddad's quintet, augmented with many guest players. Haddad begins "Awakening" with a beautiful solo that patiently introduces his tight and passionate ensemble, while ornamenting and wisely nurturing his flowing musical ideas. Even though the music relies on an Arabic scales, it has its own sense of swing and new music courtesy of cellist Naomi Wright's exquisite playing. On "Looking at the Wind" and "Por Que? No Se!," Haddad's poetic playing lightly references flamenco music while introducing the theme, and later through the gentle interplay with Wright and flutist Philippe Barnes. The title piece—in both its studio recording and longer live version—is full of drama, adventure and humor, and displays Haddad's skills as a sensitive storyteller in full control of this elaborate tale's ingredients and its progression.
Together with Alcazaba partner, flamenco guitarist Ramon Ruiz, Haddad presents an enchanting playful melody on "Por Tangos," with leisurely yet virtuosic playing. Later, the ensemble revisits Haddad's Alcazaba composition, "Aire Del Oud," with joyful passion. Based on Turkish traditionalism, "Longa-esque" provides an excellent opportunity for Haddad and his ensemble to bridge the original's sophistication with an update of bold rhythmic ideas. Two friends from Rakcheyeva's ensemble—the uniquely expressive leader and pianist Kit Downes— guest on Haddad's "Clock," originally written for that ensemble and, here, emphasizing the timeless quality of the oudist's melodies.
2012 has only begun but Days Distinctive is already a strong contender for this year's list of best releases.“
Eyal Hareuveni, All About Jazz
“Central to Middle Eastern music, the lute-like oud has become increasingly popular in world fusion. On this brilliantly realised debut, London-based Attab Haddad gives a masterclass in the instrument's possibilities, drawing from Arabic forms while lacing his compositions with flamenco, jazz and classical flavours. The mood shifts easily from contemplative pieces such as "Looking at the Wind" to tumbling excursions such as "Oh Georgina" and the Andalucian flourish of "Por Tangos". There's inspired accompaniment from flute, violin and, particularly, Naomi Wright's cello, while pianist Kit Downes guests on the clever (and ticking) "Clock". A lovely ensemble piece, with a virtuso at its heart.“
Neil Spencer, The Observer