Abu Nidal

• Artist: Muslimgauze
• Rating:
• Release Date: 1987 09
• Genre: Electronica

Review

Dedicated to the PLO and named after one of the most notorious (or alternately most heroic) Palestinian fighters of the time, Abu Nidal is one of the better Muslimgauze releases, creating rich, deep music from the basic sources of Arabic and other Muslim backgrounds. The title track immediately commands attention here; while Muslimgauze always had a knack for instant, spot-on atmospherics, "Abu Nidal" stands out as one of the best examples of his talent. Its drifting, sensuous wind sounds and synths create a lovely drone web behind the relentless but not overpowering live percussion drive, all of which is occasionally accentuated by a counterpoint rhythm of bells or other drums. "Green is the Color of the Prophet" takes a slightly gentler approach to the same basic form, but one that's just as striking; it's an ominous dance hinting at something not quite right, while still alive with the joy of performance. "Fatwa" is perhaps the most immediately "Western" of the tunes, if only because of its more straightforward drum machine punch and pound, almost more akin to contemporaneous Wax Trax! releases, though entirely lacking in guitars. With the sidelong "Gulf War" as the remaining song on the album, Abu Nidal is both a fine piece of music and a masterful piece of political agitprop. ~ Ned Raggett, Rovi

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