RUBI ATE THE FIG – Desert Electric (Album Review)

There are a few genres of music that by definition should be described as “intoxicating”, but the rare albums featuring Middle Eastern Rock easily achieve that status. Californian band Rubi Ate The Fig serves up their version of this sumptuous intoxication on a silver platter, complete with Moroccan mint tea on the side. Their new album, Desert Electric – many years in the making – is a swooning collection of 9 songs that promises to add much-needed spice to any rock fan’s collection.

Seeing as much of the public may have little idea what “Middle Eastern rock” means, Rubi lays it out in terms that many of us can understand: Zeppelin meets Mahavishnu Orchestra meets Jefferson Airplane. And by “Zeppelin” we mean, of course, “Four Sticks”, “Friends”, and most of all “Kashmir”, inspired by their jaunts to Morocco and explorations of exotic rhythms and scales. Those clues give at least a sense of the grip that this style can command on the listener’s heart and hips.

Rooted in the darkly compelling scale of Hijaz with that half-step up from the root note, these pieces combine traditional drums, bass, and guitar with oud, ney, duduk, dumbeq, riq, finger cymbals, and other forms of hand percussion. But it’s the unusual and mesmerizing Qanun, a rare Middle Eastern 76-string zither played by the expert hands of Ali Paris, which is one of Rubi’s most precious secret weapons. What’s more, a four-piece string section adds much to the sense of scale and atmosphere on many of these pieces.

Main songwriter, singer, and group leader Sharon Eliashar tethers the lineage of the Bedouins from the Sinai into this album, having spent extended time in their company, establishing a foundation of authenticity to the proceedings. Even the cover photo of the album captures Eliashar’s Great-Grandmother posing in front of the Sphinx, with her daughter (Eliashar’s Grandmother!) on her lap. It’s clearly her project, but with such an extensive cast of diverse musicians supporting her vision, the stage is set for a magical carpet ride of epic proportions.

“Breathe With Me Slowly” dives right into the depths of this genre, propelled by a sizzling percussive groove in the hypnotic Beladi rhythm courtesy of Polly Tapia Ferber’s Dumbeq and Riq hand percussion and Danny Montgomery’s full drum kit. Marc Mann’s melodic and harmony guitar lines follow their snake-like scale, augmented by the Qanun. If there was any doubt about the captivating power of this style of music, it is laid bare at the outset with scintillating results. With seductive lines like “I want a tiny drop of amber placed behind my knee,” Eliashar opens the door to a much wider range of lyrics than one would typically find on a rock album, matching the energy of the musicians.

“Gilgamesh” slides in next, accompanied by dancing finger cymbals and electric guitar swells. Even more instruments are introduced here, from Faruk Tekbilek’s Zourna (Turkish field horn) to Haig Manookian’s Oud. Still, the electric guitar of Rich Mouser roots the proceedings in a familiar rock terrain, even as the aura is much more ethereal. “If you wanna be on a camel to the moon, I’ll pack your bag for you, but if you wanna be in love with me…then follow sacredly.” Good luck keeping your hips from moving.

Although Ali Paris’ Qanun graces much of the album, its harp-like flow of notes is especially featured on the solo section of “They Came With Stones”, trading lines with Mann’s electric guitar for a thrilling duet, unlike any you’ll find in other genres.

The band really hits that “White Rabbit” vibe on “Caress The Moon”, Eliashar’s vocals caressing and captivating in equal measures as Kenny Blye’s bass slides over the rhythm. Strings are added, too, for extra impact. The tension of the verses sublimely gives way to a wistful but hypnotic chorus, making this sensual ode one of the album’s finest.

The enigmatic “The Tent” then swirls up the desert sand with passion and fury, revealing that this – this – is the intoxication we were talking about. Paris’s playing on the Qanun is once again on fire on this track, alongside Mouser’s guitar soloing, with hand percussion and a lavish string quartet accentuating the drama. The main theme hits as hard as “Kashmir”, making this one of the most compelling pieces on the album.

Delightful notes of the Ney flute arise from the breath of Hasan Minawi on “In The Garden” as a Chiftetelli rhythm rings out on a wide range of percussion. The chorus is perhaps the most uplifting in this collection, augmented by a vocal arrangement from Marc Mann. Then the achingly mournful Duduk makes an appearance on “Tremor” courtesy of Souren Baronian, before Mann unleashes an extended bluesy solo. “Flight” closes the album, again supported by a string quartet sailing across the hills of the desert to the pounding of Montgomery’s drum kit. Whew. It almost feels like we need a brief Epilogue to seal the album and bring us closure after such an epic journey.

By now, it should be clear that Rubi Ate The Fig is an ensemble worthy of your attention, and Desert Electric is a collection that is meant to be savored bite by bite. The mix is well-balanced thanks to Rich Mouser, assuring that the Dumbeq and other hand percussion find the right balance with the drum kit, and that the Qanun rings out like it should, while the vocals find their assured prominence front and center. It’s not a flashy production with lots of extra effects, as the richness in this bounty of exotic instruments provides more than enough ear candy. Let yourself unwind and enjoy the journey laid out before you by Eliashar and her sumptuous band; you may never be the same again. 

Release Date: September 22nd, 2025
Record Label: Desert Recordings
Genre: Middle-Eastern Folk Rock / Progressive Rock

Musicians:

• Sharoón Eliashar / Compositions, Vocals, Guitar, Production
• Ali Paris / Qanun
• Polly Tapia Ferber / Dumbeq, Frame Drum, riqQ (tambourine)
• Marc Mann / Guitar, keyboard, vocals, production, orchestration
• Danny Montgomery / Drums
• Miles Jay / Bass, Turkish saz, cello
• Rick Mouser / Recording engineer, Guitar, Production

Guest Musicians:

• Hasan Minawi / Ney (Arabic Flute)
• Emad Roshdy Ibrahim / Arabic strings
• Raed Oiweina / Middle-Eastern percussion
• Souren Baronian / Duduk, Tamborine
• Haig Manookian / Oud

Desert Electric Track-list:

1. Breathe with Me Slowly
2. Gilgamesh
3. They Came with Stones
4. Caress the Moon
5. Your Story
6. The Tent
7. In the Garden
8. Tremor
9. Flight

Stream the album here.