The Desert Speaks

Born of a Yemenite father and Moroccan mother Yosefa Dahari blends these traditions into a Middle Eastern tapestry of vibrant music. On this 1995 release Yosefa’s beautiful, mysterious voice is at full throttle and she sings with unbridled passion. If you like Arabic-style music but can do without the repetitive wailing sometimes accompanying that genre then this album is for you. Traditional middle-eastern instrumentation blends effortlessly with a western ambient dance style which gives this offering a ton of crossover appeal.

There isn’t a bad song on this album (pretty rare) and her clear voice just soars over the tunes, coaxing you to sway, enjoy and come back for more. The title track, The Desert Speaks, is a great rhythmic ode to the desert with a wonderfully seductive violin backdrop. Again, as in other music that I own from cultures not my own, I don’t understand the lyrics, but it doesn’t matter. The music and her voice are great. Songs I especially like are Longings and Place With No Name. Even not understanding the lyrics she makes me want to travel there; to that mirage, that place with no name. Oh, and Track 3, Shafshaf’s Song, even has a hip-hop/rap verse in the middle of it which is perfectly placed for the song.

There is one English song on the album, Before the Night is Gone and there are some brief translations of the Hebrew lyrics into English in the accompanying booklet along with some very interesting liner notes. I never get tired of listening to this CD for a refreshing change of pace. Highly recommended.