Sounds like authentic ethnic folk but mostly composed by Soldier in the style of flamenco and Arab music (two different eras and origins, but no matter) with lyrics taken from ancient poetry in Hebrew, Arabic, Persian and something called “Romance;” lots of interesting instrumentation, riffs and vocal styles by many talented artists from the Middle East; album name refers to a type of poem from Al Andalus, the old Western caliphate in medieval Iberia that we now look back on as a Golden Age of the three great Abrahamic religions getting along with each other

NO FCC's; Favorite tracks: 1, 2, 4, 11


*1—The Spy – 3:09 – sounds like flamenco with multiple voices and tracks; but rumba rhythm with horns and hand claps; very lively and listenable (Arabic and Romance)

*2-- Water and Fire –5:38 – more in the style of the Gypsy Kings to start off, especially in vocal style; arrangements are more inventive; cool gypsy violin (Arabic)

3—My Visitor in the Morning –5:28-- more of a Mideast vibe here with unison violins and voices (Arabic)

*4—My Father-- 5:16 (Arabic) – fandango in Arabic; pretty mando and soprano; nice clarinet; a little dreamy

5-- Without Myself –4:12 (Persian) – flamenco flourish intro; sounds contemporary probably because of vocal effects and modern jazz percussion; from a poem sung in Rumi sung in Persian by soprano with lines spoken by male voice

6-- The Stars of Country Music Greet the Spring –4:11-- somewhat jarring modern-sounding piece delivered in English; nice Latin jazz accompaniment though

7—Land of Spain –3:45-- flamenco style with female singer (Hebrew)

**8—Don't Bite Me Baby –4:16 – snappy staccato guitar rhythm; lyrics in Hebrew/Romance by flamenco style male vocalist countered by female vocalist

9—Battle—3:18-- female vocalist sings in Hebrew with flamenco guitar, lots of guttural fricatives

10-- Beautiful Boy –5:19 – same female vocalist with Hebrew lyrics and flamenco guitar

**11-If-- 5:06-- Dreamy orchestration with gorgeous santur, horn and violin; sung in Arabic; lovely!