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Karim Baggili : Douar (B,2005)****
Hearing Karim Baggili play solo, sometimes dubbed with second guitar, (with only a bit of conga and cajon on two tracks, by Etienne Serck), I realize much more how gifted he is as a guitarist. Somehow I was immediately reminded of the lecture I need to give in October at the Theosophical Society on the “91 parts of the earth”, a rather esoteric oracle-based concept which is extremely interesting because it shows places on the earth where certain conditions are present that makes it easier to develop certain creative processes (with an influence on the local religious, social, and philosophical tendencies). The area of Belgium was listed as having very good conditions to see how to make through compromise and negotiation a harmonious creative starting point for contradictory elements, in social groups, ideas, etc. Not that this is an over-relevant association, but I always wondered why and how so many musicians in Belgium that I know so easily adapt so many styles from elsewhere, and make it sound skilfully as if they can make it as their own rich and peaceful, warm home. That is also exactly what Karim makes in his style. Like a logical journey, over Spanish, Greek and other originating ideas this is all transformed into Karim’s own world and space, full of warm effects, flowing from one theme to the next. All tracks are original compositions except for the ninth track which brings suddenly a sweep further into a further area and is played with ud and acoustic guitar, and some percussion, “Racset Siti”, an old Arab traditional, followed by a fitting well personal composition on oud lead, and a calmer part on guitar lead, bringing us back home, the place we didn’t leave except in the colours of the imagination, presented on “Douar”. Brilliant.
Audio : "Paralosturdus","Eau forte", "Lua","Pismo za vas", "Douar","Marché aux puces","Clochette", "Gato preto","Racset siti", "Aton","Le manoir" & on http://www.myspace.com/karimbaggili
