Khaled Dajani - Luci

Album review by kev@thesoundofconfusion.co.uk

Palestinian musician Khaled Dajani is probably more qualified than most to sing about the evil of war and needlessness of egotistic governments and militia groups who are prepared to stop at nothing for material gain. It's a subject approached almost from the beginning of his album 'Luci'. After a brief instrumental introduction, Dajani sings "it seems the people can't agree, but we're all the same, it don't make sense to me" on 'Mad World'. As Palestine is still not recognised as a country in it's own right (some may argue it is, but that's a debate for another day) he cites his birthplace as Saudi Arabia but moved to the US aged 16, music from far and wide make up the tracks on this album.

Loosely described by the even looser term "world fusion", 'Luci' is an album which is build upon western alt-rock sounds but incorporates more diverse instrumentation; Middle-Eastern percussion, Latin American guitar and Mariachi horns are among the sounds spread through these songs. Add to that the influence of Americana, folk and even metal and you've got an eclectic mix. You'd be forgiven for thinking it's all going a bit Yeasayer but nothing here really compares directly to their similarly worldwide-influenced alt-pop, this is more Asian than African. Take 'Trouble'; it begins like a mid-period Beatles number before allowing those unusual sounds and rhythms to take over with some frantic guitar and then a conventional rock band entering the fray. You can feel the harder influence on some of the guitar later in the track.

Because of this, fans of more conventional rock/pop may be put off by the exotic an unfamiliar influence, but then for each "world fusion" track there a more traditional alt-rock number like the romantic 'Lazy River' or pretty acoustics of 'Timeless'. If you are bored with the regular sounds of "western" music then 'Motions Of The Dancers' offer a glimpse into a less familiar culture and make 'Luci' a truly global sounding album,  one with depth and cultures colliding, something which is captured perfectly on 'All Mine'. The atmospheric 'Falling' is a closer look at the music of his homeland and one that takes you on something of a journey. The verdict: eclectic, impassioned and a welcome break from the norm.
 





Khaled Danjani's website

'Luci' will be available January 29th on iTunes





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