For those who know of the gypsies' power of musical absorbance, Zeb's path is not surprising. That's why I wasn't surprised one day while listening to the opening of "Kamloreja" by Macedonian singer Esma Redzepova and immediately identifying Zeb's rhythmic pattern for "All is One" (also under The Spy From Cairo, out on the compilation Coney Island Love). Or watching the reggae classic, Rockers, and hearing a brilliant poetic monologue by Horsemouth, which was later included on his track, "No Matter What They Say," on Stop the Earth, I Want to Get Off!. It's probable that trickles of Secretly Famous will appear over time. The bottom is full and round, leaving deep pockets for people to crawl into. His oud playing is fierce. "Kurdish Delight" is a bass line boasting monster that pays credit to Kingston soundsystems. The opening "Nayphony," a Jajouka style banger, rolls over wooden floors with thunder. "Kembe" is one of the most uplifting club tracks I've heard. And the simple title of many--"Oud Funk," "Sufi Disco"--clues you in that heavy rides are ahead. The heaviest: "Blood and Honey." This song is the soundtrack of war elephants stampeding prison gates. The bottom edge of the beat sounds like a reprisal of "Cleopatra in NY," but then in trounces forward. It is one of three featuring Tunisian born vocalist Ghalia Bhenali, the album's most surprising and inviting characteristic. Bhenali has an affinity towards classical Indian, but her Arabic temperament is obvious. I have since went on to purchase a few of her solo recordings and am disappointed by nothing on them, so beautiful and rich they are. Romeo & Leila is heartshattering. The Portuguese poet Fernando Pessoa wrote under many names to accommodate the many people inside of his head. He used words as his medium for explanation, and grew tortured for the attempt. Greatness is always in the possibility, for it manifests in creative wedges. Secretly Famous is perfectly titled. It's already all there; you just need to open your ears to listen.

Tracklisting:
1. Nayphony
2. Kurdish Delight
3. Ana Arabi feat. Ghalia Benali
4. Kembe
5. Jennaty feat. Ghalia Benali
6. Leila
7. Oud Funk
8. Blood & Honey feat. Ghalia Benali
9. Sufi Disco
10. Saidi The Man
11. Reggada
12. Ala Shan
13. Indian Dope feat. Ghalia Benali