Tunisian percussionist and multi-instrumentalist Houeida Hedfi took ample time to create her debut album Fleuves de l'Ame. Back in 2011, she met Norwegian Olof Dreijer (
The Knife), who was in Tunisia for the compilation of a compilation of Tunisian female artists. Since then, Hedfi has been working with Dreijer, a violinist and a bouzouki player, on songs from time to time. Those efforts result in
… eight highly eclectic songs, each named after a river. Hedfi's Arabic background is unmistakably present, but electronic elements and minimalist structures make the record sound very Scandinavian at the same time. Sometimes this takes the form of a cinematic ambient soundscape or, conversely, it sounds danceable and alienating. The pieces are ingeniously put together, full of passages of great beauty. One thing is certain: it will take many listens to be able to fathom Fleuves de l'Âme. (JV)more
