by Jim Brenholts
Crescent Moon is a set of diversely fluid desert ambience with Middle Eastern and Mediterranean influences. Multi-talented multi-instrumentalist Omar Faruk Tekbilek created this massive soundscape with assistance from Brian Keane. Steve Roach also appears as a guest musician. This is a quirky crossover. Tekbilek mixes ambient atmospheres with touches of belly dance music. The result is a somewhat frenetic cloud of desert sand. The styles contrast and compliment each other. The soundscape is hot, arid, and tempestuous. It is an exotic sound design. This CD will appeal to fans of Jamshied Sharifi, Natacha Atlas, Sheila Chandra, and TUU. It is essential world music.