A Bridge Over the Mediterranean

Born in Jerusalem but now living and working in Beirut, Rami and Farid Chehade work with an ensemble of 19 musicians to create a sound that’s grounded in the Middle East, but which reaches out across the Mediterranean. You can hear strains of flamenco and tarantella in their sound, while the rippling bouzouki offers a connection to Greece and even the Balkans, thanks to Michel Elefteriades. Lead singer Rami is not only blessed with a wonderfully lyrical voice that inhabits the songs, both fast and slow, but he’s also a gifted ‘ud player, coaxing subtle textures and fills from his strings for impressive and affecting results.