The Master Musicians of Jajouka

AMG Review of The Master Musicians of Jajouka

William Ruhlmann
All Music Guide

Recorded in 1972, this album is something of a follow-up to Brian Jones Presents: The Pipes of Pan at Joujouka, the album recorded by the Rolling Stones guitarist in 1968 that was released on Rolling Stones Records in 1971. In fact, there is even a track called "Brian Jones." There is such an encrustation of myth and purple prose attending the Master Musicians of Jajouka that daring to review an album of their music seems almost heretical, but here goes. The music is quite varied, from the high-pitched reed instruments (rhaitas) that wail through "Sidi Hamid Sherk" to the stringed instruments (gimbris) found on some of the more soothing tracks and the ululations of the women singing "Teasing Bonjeloud." But while enjoyable, it is difficult to appreciate from a mere recording the claims made by adherents who have made a pilgrimage to the musicians' village and perhaps imbibed some of the local stimulants along with the atmosphere.