• Artist: Rabih Abou-Khalil
• Rating:
• Style: World Fusion
• Track Picks: "Son of Ben Hur," "The Sphinx and I"

Review

Odd Times is Rabih Abou-Khalil's first live album. Since it would be impractical to assemble all of the guests he has had on his albums over the years, Abou-Khalil has gone in the other direction and pared his ensemble down to what is for him the bare bones: himself on oud, Howard Levy on harmonica, Michel Godard on tuba and serpent (an antique form of the tuba), Mark Nauseef on drums, and Nabil Khaiat on frame drums. Most live albums contain well-known pieces from the artist's studio repertoire; in contrast, Odd Times is mostly new material. In general, the album is a mix of shapeless, overlong attempts at atmosphere ("Elephant Hips") and fairly bouncy and fun items ("Q-Tips"). The pared-down lineup is engaging because Abou-Khalil's oud and Godard's tuba are more prominent; unfortunately, Levy's harmonica is also pronounced, and simply clashes with the entire project of fusing Arabic music and jazz. Though in all fairness, on "The Happy Sheik" Levy sets aside his usual cadences in favor of something more bluesy that melds better with its surroundings. The album closes with a vibrant performance of "Rabou-Abou-Kabou," one of Abou-Khalil's best songs. ~ Kurt Keefner, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	iTunes	Composers	Performers	Time
The Sphinx and I	...	Rabih Abou-Khalil	Rabih Abou-Khalil	(5:44)
Dr. Gieler's Prescription	...	Rabih Abou-Khalil	Rabih Abou-Khalil	(5:15)
Elephant Hips	...	Rabih Abou-Khalil	Rabih Abou-Khalil	(10:15)
Q-Tips	...	Rabih Abou-Khalil	Rabih Abou-Khalil	(4:34)
Son of Ben Hur	...	Rabih Abou-Khalil	Rabih Abou-Khalil	(11:29)
The Happy Sheik	...	Rabih Abou-Khalil	Rabih Abou-Khalil	(9:32)
One of Those Days	...	Rabih Abou-Khalil	Rabih Abou-Khalil	(10:31)
Rabou-Abou-Kabou	...	Rabih Abou-Khalil	Rabih Abou-Khalil	(6:52)

Credits

Rabih Abou-Khalil (Flute), Rabih Abou-Khalil (Strings), Rabih Abou-Khalil (Arranger), Rabih Abou-Khalil (Oud), Rabih Abou-Khalil (Producer), Rabih Abou-Khalil (Main Performer), Rabih Abou-Khalil (Cover Design), Mark Nauseef (Drums), Mark Nauseef (Producer), Michel Godard (Tuba), Michel Godard (Multi Instruments), Michel Godard (Producer), Nabil Khaiat (Producer), Nabil Khaiat (Frame Drum), Eulrich Kurth (Executive Producer), Howard Levy (Harmonica), Howard Levy (Producer), Walter Quintus (Producer), Walter Quintus (Mixing), Walter Quintus (Engineering Director), Matthias Winckelmann (Executive Producer), Peter Ruedi (Liner Notes), Sammy Hart (Photography), Stefan Hackspiel (Engineer)