Les Vents Brûlants

Ensemble Chakâm are a French-based, female trio of fine instrumentalists. They performed a memorable showcase at last year’s WOMEX in Manchester. Sogol Mirzaei from Iran plays plucked tar, Christine Zayed from Palestine plays qanun (and sings on three tracks) and Marie-Suzanne de Loye from France plays bowed viola da gamba. All work with a variety of other musical outfits.

It’s the interaction of the instruments – the darker sound of the viola da gamba and the intricate plucking of tar and qanun – that makes a track like ‘Femme qui rougit comme l’univers’ outstanding. The music is self-composed and the interweaving of melodic lines is beautifully fluid, with each instrument getting its moment in the spotlight. There are moments of welcomed humour – the quirky ‘Chameau ivre’ (Drunken Camel) is a fun addition. The tracks with vocals are less successful, but Chakâm are a breath of fresh air.