Ibrahim Maalouf – Trumpets Of Michel-Ange (Mister Ibe, 2024)
French-Lebanese trumpet maestro and composer Ibrahim Maalouf has unveiled his 18th studio album, Trumpets of Michel-Ange, a project rooted in his Lebanese heritage. This latest release presents a stirring set of all original compositions, recorded in live, unedited sessions that capture the raw energy of the music. Indeed, Maalouf captures perfectly the feel of an irresistible and joyful Lebanese brass band playing at a celebration, with hooky rhythms and spectacular call and response action between the masterful trumpet and the brass section. In addition, Maalouf presents various forms of world fusion, including a collaboration with West African musicians.
Leading singles such as “Fly With Me,” “Love Anthem,” and “The Smile for Rita” capture Maalouf’s signature fusion of American and Latin jazz with Middle Eastern sounds, delivering engaging melodies, high energy brass sections, and evocative trumpet melodies that bridge cultural divides.
More than just an album, Trumpets of Michel-Ange is part of a broader initiative to popularize the quarter-tone trumpet, a distinctive instrument that defines Maalouf’s sound and combines cultural influences. The project includes a series of instruments, educational materials, and recordings designed to make this unique trumpet accessible worldwide.
The album features an impressive roster of guest artists, including Trombone Shorty, Endea Owens, Toumani Diabaté, Sidiki Diabaté, Matthieu Chedid, and Golshifteh Farahani, contributing to its rich and diverse sonic palette. Trumpets of Michel-Ange follows a narrative arc, tracing the life journey of a couple from their wedding to the bittersweet moment of their children’s departure into adulthood. It reflects on themes of love, family, and legacy.
Maalouf describes the work as both a personal and significative tribute: “On a symbolic level, this album is a celebration of love and family and the things that parents pass on to their children. On a more literal level, it’s a chance for me to turn my father’s dream of sharing his quarter tone trumpet with the world into a reality.”
The album cover pays homage to his roots, featuring a 1925 photo of his grandfather’s brass band from Kafarakab, a village in the Lebanese mountains.
Trumpets of Michel-Ange Track list:
- The Proposal
- Love Anthem
- Fly With Me – Feat. Endea Owens
- Zajal
- Stranger
- The Smile of Rita
- Au Revoir – Feat. Golshifteh Farahani
- Capitals – featuring Trombone Shorty
- Timeless – featuring -M-, Toumani Diabaté, Sidiki Diabaté, Nassim Maalouf, Nael Maalouf
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.