Karim Baggili - Douar

The Belgian guitarist won the talent competition at the renowned Open Strings Festival 2000, proving at an early age that he can more than hold his own on a big stage. Perhaps it's his family background - Baggili is the son of a Jordanian father and a Yugoslavian mother - which lets his music move so apparently effortlessly between the most varied cultural traditions. With his second solo CD "Douar", the 29-year-old combines fiery Flamenco with Arabian scales, motifs and traditional pieces. A seductive dance on hot coals, where pieces of great dynamic range blend exotic scales with familiar patterns. His breakneck Flamenco technique weaves chords and melody together in a manner which is a joy to listen to. Baggili is undoubtedly one of the great new talents on the guitar scene, from whom we may expect many more pleasant surprises in years to come.