Beyond the Sky

The two musicians are joined on this album by three other great players. Ara Dinkjian plays the oud and Arto Tuncboyaci is a master of Middle Eastern percussion. Both of these Armenian musicians were members of the group Night Ark. Also climbing aboard this caravan is Hassan Isikkut, a Turkish master of the kanun, a zither instrument. With Keane's subtle synthesizer arrangements, the music is exhilarating in its rhythmic intensity and virtuoso showmanship on a track such as "Imaginary Traveler," and searing and sensual in its spiritual passion on "Kolyami." --John Diliberto