Drummer and multi-instrumentalist Salah Ragab was a central figure in the history of jazz in Egypt. Ragab, who was a collaborator with Sun Ra, founded the Cairo Jazz Band in 1968. He also became the head the Egyptian Military Music Department. Cairo Jazz Band, Egypt’s first major band, mixed American jazz and North African music. It used indigenous melodies, instruments and instrumentation, such as the nay (bamboo flute), and the baza (ramadan drummer). This musical cross-fertilization is not uncommon. American musicians Sun Ra to Yusef lateef were fascinated by North African music and incorporated both the instruments of the Fertile Crescent and their own music into their work. Salah Ragab’s music, however, presents a different perspective. It is a look from the other side the musical equation that combines the Middle East and West. The Cairo Jazz Band really swings. Although there have been some intriguing Ragab tidbits, such as the Sun Ra Arkestra Meets Salah Ragab Egypt release on Leo Records in the past, this reissue represents the first time that such a broad range of Salah Ragab’s and the Cairo Jazz Band music has been made freely available outside Egypt. The UK imprint Art Yard publishes Egyptian Jazz, which includes material from 1968 to 1973. They have previously released a series of outstanding vinyl-only Sun Ra recordings. This record is sure to please Sun Ra fans. But with songs like “Egyptian Strut”, and other swaggering tracks like “Ramadan In Space Time” or “Neveen,” it stands out on its own. Ragab was the head of Egypt’s Military Music Department and had access to many of Egypt’s best instrumentalists. He drew on this wealth of musical talent. The ensemble playing is excellent throughout, with standout solos on flute and sax as well as keyboards, especially on the heavy percussion-heavy “Neveen.” Art Yard’s first CD release of this album contains four bonus tracks. None of these, except perhaps the alternate version of “Kleopatra”, are filled with filler. The CD version only contains “A Farewell Theme”, a multi-part serpentine stomper that is one of the most memorable and interesting Ragab pieces. It’s an amazing release, from beginning to end. It captures a very fruitful moment in musical cross-pollination. By Susanna Bolle from http://www.dustedmagazine.com
