Mohamed Abozekry & Heejaz Extended – Ring Road (Bonus Track Version) (2015)

This Egyptian artist who now lives in France juggles with the musical genres of his eastern birthplace, which his oud takes to fresh heights, breathing into them the inventiveness of jazz and the energy of rock. Abozekry makes the oriental lute sing, introducing a sense of groove as well as flamenco and Latino hints. Ring Road is a fascinating collection in which his love for John Coltrane and Astor Piazzolla lies just under the surface, as well as his desire to nudge tradition towards horizons suffused with sound and the continual murmuring of the world.