Lily of the Nile
The meeting of oud master Hamza El Din and the adventurous audiophile label Waterlily Acoustics was something that simply had to happen. El Din's music, so thoughtful and often lulling, is tailor-made for the sonic sharpness that is the label's trademark. And the result doesn't disappoint. This might not be the classic thatEscalay (The Water Wheel)orA Wishare, but it's still a gorgeous record, slow and meditative, with El Din's voice and oud washing over the listener like a large Nubian wave. Pieces like "Shortunga" are ideal for contemplation; the refreshing and far more upbeat "Hamayala" brings things up to speed for the finale.Lily of the Nileis a distinct change from El Din's previous disc,Muwashshah(which teamed him with some of his Japanese students), and a real return to his roots.--Chris Nickson