Yazz Ahmed A Paradise In The Hold
Yazz Ahmed's A Paradise In The Hold conjures the Persian Gulf as a cinematic, ceremonial space where weddings, pearl-diving lore and fidjeri chant meet modern jazz textures. Across two professional reviews the record earns a 90/100 consensus score, with critics praising its evocative sense of place, virtuosic ensemble interplay and the way Arabian tradition fuses with contemporary orchestration.
Critics consistently point to “She Stands On the Shore” as the album's opening statement and one of the best songs on A Paradise In The Hold
While one critic hailed the record's compositional daring and coastal imagery as near-flawless and another noted a more measured admiration, the professional reviews agree the album stands as a striking continuation of Ahmed's exploration of Bahraini heritage within jazz. For readers asking whether A Paradise In The Hold is worth listening to, the consensus score across two reviews and the repeatedly praised standout tracks make a persuasive case for its place as an essential, evocative entry in her catalogue.
Critics' Top Tracks
The standout songs that made critics take notice
Though My Eyes Go To Sleep My Heart Does Not Forget You
1 mention
"may be at its very best on “ Though My Eyes Go To Sleep My Heart Does Not Forget You ”"— Uncut
She Stands On the Shore
2 mentions
"Starting from the very first moments of “She Stands On the Shore” through the end of the record"— Sputnikmusic
Mermaids’ Tears
1 mention
"Ahmed is in full-on underwater sci-fi mode on the mythic, haunting “ Mermaids’ Tears ”"— Uncut
may be at its very best on “ Though My Eyes Go To Sleep My Heart Does Not Forget You ”
Track Ratings
How critics rated each track, relative to this album (0-100). Only tracks that made critics feel something are rated.
A Paradise In The Hold
What Critics Are Saying
Deep insights from 3 critics who reviewed this album
Critic's Take
I could not stop thinking about how Yazz Ahmed’s A Paradise In The Hold makes you feel like you are on the Persian Gulf - the best tracks, notably “She Stands On the Shore”, unfold like a coastline, part tradition and part daring progression. The reviewer voice here revels in the record’s compositional brilliance and the way horns, percussion and Ahmed’s trumpet create a tapestry that is both modern and timeless. For anyone asking what the best songs on A Paradise In The Hold are, start with “She Stands On the Shore” for its opening sweep and groove, then let the rest of the record carry you across its shifting moods and virtuosic performances.
Key Points
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The opening piece, “She Stands On the Shore”, is the best track for its evocative instrumentation and transformative groove.
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The album's core strength is its fusion of Arabian musical tradition with modern jazz virtuosity and a strong sense of place.
Themes
Critic's Take
Yazz Ahmed fashions on A Paradise In The Hold an intimate, hypnotic world where tradition and modernity braid together, and the best tracks reveal that synthesis plainly. The album opener “She Stands On The Shore” arrives as a stunning statement of intent, trumpet yearning and Natacha Atlas's voice building a reverent atmosphere that marks it among the best songs on A Paradise In The Hold. Equally, “Though My Eyes Go To Sleep My Heart Does Not Forget You” feels like the emotional centrepiece, its chants and spiralling voices giving the record its most affecting moments. Less overtly showy but essential is “Mermaids’ Tears”, where inky synths and gauzy trumpet repay close headphone listening and complete the trio of best tracks on the album.
Key Points
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The best song is the opener “She Stands On The Shore” because it establishes the album's yearning trumpet-led atmosphere and features Natacha Atlas's resonant voice.
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The album's core strengths are its fusion of Bahraini folk forms with modern textures and cinematic, aquatic instrumentation.