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4.5
Other than her phrasing and ornamental warbles associated with the Arabic language, Dina el Wedidi sings with Western popular arrangements, which makes her a rising global talent. Born in Giza, Egypt, she began her career in literature and theater before becoming a professional musician, which was in 2011 during the Arab Spring. A year later Gilberto Gil became her mentor via the Rolex Mentor and Protégée Arts Initiative, and on this album we hear Gil on one track; they performed together in Switzerland, Brazil, Egypt, and in the United States, where she is currently on tour. She plays guitar and daf frame drum and composes the melodies of most of her material. Lyrics are provided by a number of writers. She was a participant of the Nile Project in 2013. Hence, this album is fusion with international colors. Beside Gil, guest artists are Mazaher and Al Sirah from Egypt. Package notes include the lyrics in Arabic and English translation, with Portuguese added for the song with Gil, The Night. Instrumentation and supporting musicians reflect the broad outreach, with electric and acoustic violins; accordion; Moroccan sintir/gimbri lute; riqq, daf, dhol, and karakib drums; Turkish kaval shepherd, Egyptian kawala, and arghul double-pipe, single-reed flutes; rebab; piano; synthesizer; oud and acoustic, electric, and bass guitars. The tracks are varied in mood and style. It begins as alternative rock with Middle Eastern riffs and rhythms, shifts into a ballad, moves to a lament, introduces part of an Arab folkloric epic, proceeds to a couple romantic ballads, offers an emotional protest anthem, presents a sad tune of unrequited love and then a swirling commentary on the ardor of love, and concludes with a spiritual admonishment to seek refuge from self-inflected troubles in stillness. Thus, this album, far from traditional, expands modern global music.
