Marwan Abado

Rooted in taqsim, the Arabic improvisatory form, Marwan Abado's music moves with all the lithe grace of that classical form. He doesn't seem to direct his songs so much as discover them, singing in tandem with the oud and underpinned by fathomless, sternum-shaking percussion. The album title means "boats," and the lyrics throughout take inspiration from traditional Palestinian songs that wished sailors a safe journey home. A poetic subject, certainly, but perhaps also one with admirably subtle political resonance. Beautifully done.