The music heard on Al Conti's latest album, Scheherazade, is a brilliant piece of moody atmosphere with the charged sounds of the Middle East within its core.  Using ancient instruments such as the hurdy gurdy, udu, sitar, tablas, and tribal drums, and incorporating more conventional instruments like the piano, acoustic guitar, violin, and electric keyboards, Conti's story-telling of Arabian Nights-like tales using all instrumental music is a thrill to immerse in.  Scheherazade was the regaler of the Arabian Nights stories and this set of 10 instrumentals is her tale.

Some of the tunes here are absolutely a joy to listen to especially in an immersed setting where there is nothing but you and the sound of the music coming from your speakers and/or headphones.  There are a few more contemporary sounding tracks that break the spell a bit.  “A Thousand Tales” is one of those despite its obvious melancholic beauty.  But the slack is made up by wonderful tracks like the mysterious opening tune, “Daughter of the City,” and the following tenderness of “Desert Nights.” 

If you're a Prince of Persia game fan, this album is a grand soundtrack to that concept and for immersible game playing.  For the rest of us music lovers that enjoy an instrumental romp of this kind of world music style, you'll love the unfolding musical tales set in place.  Conti has a story-line set out for each track as it progresses through the album.  Unfortunately, that is not available within the confines of the CD, booklet or otherwise.  And perhaps he meant for the music to speak on its own, which is absolutely fine with me.

This music is splendid atmosphere for much needed relaxation and appreciation.