Brothers Samir and Wissam Joubran hail from a musical family from Nazareth in the Galilee and play absolutely stunning music on their oud duet recording Tamaas. Every note is played with fierce intensity and passion. Their breathtaking virtuosity is surpassed only by the bitter beauty that underlies this music. From the opening notes of “Khiyanat Mariah” one is transported into an otherworldly realm permeated with stark contrasts of white light, despair, and hope. Each note is like a prick of blood and the silence between them is a silent plea for mercy. This is jaw dropping, spellbinding music that transports the listener into a transcendental realm. And, although Tamaas is a “live” recording, the only indication of that is the applause at the end of each track, for the audience is absolutely silent until the last note of each song is finished. This music is utterly sacred and indescribably beautiful and powerful.