Moufahdel Adhoum is a master oud player from an old neighbourhood in Medina, Tunisia he is joined by Greek pianist and bouzouki player Niko Deman and Morrocan percussionist Azzedine Jazouli; rounding out the band are Belgian jazzers Chris Mentens on bass and Chryster Aerts on drums.

The band may have met in Belgium but these nine tracks instantly transport you to the calm inner courtyard of some shady house a stone’s throw from the bustle of the market in some North African town. Beautifully recorded, the interplay between oud and percussion is filled out with sparse jazz sounds from the rest of the band.

The album is well paced with a variety of influences taking centre stage and great solos. Well worth tracking down for those calmer moments this summer.

Links:
www.hijaz.be
www.myspace.com/hijazgroup