Blue Planet was:
Hakim Ludin: The percussionist Hakim Ludin from Afghanistan, is most known in europe for his performances at percussion festivals and percussion seminars and for working together with international musicians, such as Luis Conte, Alex Acuna, Glen Velez and Terry Bozzio. While playing his percussion instruments, he combines different music worlds in his own very special way. His instruments take the listener far away into countries like India, Afghanistan, Africa, Brazil and Cuba. Hakim Ludin is able to transform his fascinating rhythms into a unity that enables the audience to see single pictures and even complete landscapes. For the performance of Blue Planet, he created special rhythms and sounds that combines the melodic instruments.
Lenny Mac Dowell (FM Leinert): The second musician from Germany, is the flute player Lenny Mac Dowell. As the European, he brings the western culture into the music. In contrary to his classical education, he now moves in the area of Jazz, Rock and Asian influenced music. Up to 15 CD releases together with musicians fromm all over Europe, have accompanied his career. His flute sounds are meditational and with rhythm. He is able to make moods and musical moments happen, through playing masterly different flutes, like the bamboo flute, the Turkish Ney, Sur-Ney and various concert flutes. Lenny Mac Dowell takes all these different instruments and unites them by using a special designed electronic equipement.
Dhafer Youssel: Last, but definitely not least Dhafer Youssef. The Oud player and vocalist comes from Tunesia and his music roots lie deepl yin the North African-Arabian world. Many European musicians invite Dhafer for productions and live-performances, because of his astonishing way of interpretation and performance. There is no end to his abilities in performing with the Oud, the Arabian lute. With his supple and soft voice, he accompanies the instruments and tells stories of the Arabian world.
The music from the world ethno formation Blue Planet, is music without frontiers influenced by different cultures of the World.
This productions shows, that music is a universal language, spoken and understood by everyone everywhere.
Simply put, this album is brilliant. I have had it for over a decade and I still listen to the three talented musicians creating aural beauty. This album introduced me to Dhaffer Youssef (look his stuff up on Amazon) and that incredibly powerful voice. And then there is his oud playing! You lose yourself in this music.
Hakim Ludin’s percussion is nothing to be sneezed at either. Seemingly effortlessly, he switches from nation to nation, one moment giving a song an Arabic feel, the next moment an Indian sensibility.
Together, the musicians make music that stays earthed (unlike Youssef’s other stuff that can be a bit spacy), with the Oud’s warmth, the power of the drumming and the flute’s airyness and lofty notes. Be prepared to be transported to a luxurious place.
For Tribal Style bellydancers, I *HIGHLY* recommend this album. The song Snake Dance will entrance any audience and can be used as a slow piece that builds or for a powerful sword dance. And Hakim drums in enough accents to keep the show interesting. (Roberto F. Galbraith)
Personnel:
Hakim Ludin (percussion)
Lenny Mac Dowell (flute, keyboards)
Dhafer Youssef (vocals, oud, percussion, pepinique, jew´s harp)
Alternate frontcover
Tracklist:
01. Ja Joma (Hey Mother) (Ludin) 7.38
02. Blue Planet (Leinert/Ludin) 5.55
03. Peace For Kabul (Ludin) 7.53 (Ludin) 7.53
04. Lost Garden (Youssef/Leinert/Ludin) 7.41
05. Voice Of The Dessert (Youssef/Leinert/Ludin) 6.07
06. Rose Of Tunis (Youssef) 4.54
07. Bamboo Bridge (Leinert) 6.36
08. Snake Dance (Youssef/Ludin) 5.36
09. Likan (Youssef) 3.33
10. Full Moon (Leinert/Ludin) 7.45
ManyFantasticColors 