Welcome back. I return with my semi-regular series bringing some Gnawa trance music for your consideration. This album was my first exposure to Maleem Mahmood Ghania, largely because Pharoah Sanders lent his saxophone to the proceedings and contributed one of his own compositions (the sublimely beautiful “Peace In Essaouira (For Sonny Sharrock)”). The 1990s was something of a comeback decade for Sanders, who was in demand on a number of sessions and able to drop a couple albums on Verve. There was something of a free jazz revival that decade, and Sanders was one of a number of musicians capable of passing the torch to the next generation. But this isn’t Sanders’ show – this one is all about showcasing some of the master musicians of the Gnawa doing what they do best. If you dig this, Randy Weston also has highlighted some other Gnawa musicians from Morocco over the years. In the meantime, enjoy.