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Utah might seem to be a difficult place for a Middle-Eastern band to earn a living, but Desert Wind seems to be making a go of things there. I had not listened to this title in some time, but the new remastered version of Christmas: Rhythms of the Holy Land sounds fantastic. The lush arrangements are lusher, the percussion percussier. There are many things to like here, but my favorite by far is Dance Of The Angels, possibly because it is a song I don't hear every day. If you haven't yet heard Christmas: Rhythms of the Holy Land, now would be an excellent time.

-- Richard Banks
(Reviewed in 2007)

The mood is joyful and optimistic. The message is celebration and hope. The genre is a blend of new age and world music. Getting right to the point with a full-bodied, toe-tapping Joy to the World, Desert Wind effectively combines the musical traditions of the Middle East and the Caribbean. This is followed by the most strangely exotic Little Drummer Boy I can remember.

Particularly novel is the application of Middle Eastern rhythm, percussion and winds to western carols. My unfamiliarity with the instruments precludes much discussion, but it left me with an impression of happily hypnotic harmonies. Joined by guest artists Rami Ziadeh, Jonathan Kessler, and Rajab Juma, Desert Wind produces a sound which includes, instills, and integrates the rhythmic elements of many cultures. Also, unique to this CD are three of Alan Scott Bachman's seasonal compositions: Christmas Peace, Tikkun Olam, and the seductively soothing Dance of the Angels.

My take on Christmas: Rhythms of the Holy Land is that this is Christmas music as it was meant to be heard: exotic and percussive, weaving together the traditions of east and west, and accessible to all. Seasonal without being cloying, it will be one of those CDs that can be played as early as November and on into the new year.

--Richard Banks
(Reviewed in 2000)

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From the liner notes:

The Desert Wind performers on this CD consist of nine accomplished recording and performing artists. Their line-up includes Alan Scott Bachman, bandleader, pianist extraordinaire, composer and one of the original innovators of "world fusion" in Mideast dance music; Rami Ziadeh, famed Bay Area drummer who inspired this CD in part, as he is a Palestinian Christian who was born near Bethlehem on Christmas Day, Brett "Angus" Bowen, mesmerizing multi-percussionist specializing in Egyptian/Arabic and Afro-Cuban drums; Rajab Juma, Desert Wind's signature "groove" doumbek player from Libya; Jonathan Kessler, whose work with great Arabic, Turkish and Armenian musicians helped to create the unique rhythmical foundation for this music; George Grant, tabla master whose "Drum Talk" teaching method enriches students throughout schools in Idaho and Utah, Amy Faust, power vocalist and daughter of a Baptist Minister, Christian Parry, trap drummer whose playing on this CD comes from his passionate beliefs in the tradition for which he was named, and Andalin Bachman, award-winning flutist whose performance on the antique wooden and modern silver-gold flutes adds a joyful melodic spice to Christmas: Rhythms of the Holy Land.

Desert Wind

Christmas: Rhythms of the Holy Land

Artist link

Track List