"My music invites the listener to discover the soul of music," declares Iraqi-born oud master Rahim Alhaj: "My mission is to bring out the spiritual meaning that lies behind the notes, to communicate compassion, love, and peace." Rahim studied the oud, a six-stringed lute that is one of the principle traditional instruments of the Arab world, under famed musicians Munier Bashir and Salim Abdul Kareem at the Institute of Music in Baghdad. Forced into exile in 1991, he has subsequently made a name for himself teaching and performing through out the Middle East before relocating to New Mexico. Rahim's delicate compositions combine traditional Iraqi maqam (modes) with contemporary influences, exhibiting his strong lyrical gifts, a sharp sense of rhythm, and intense emotional expression. Displaying a true gift for musical storytelling, many of Rahim's compositions touch upon the experience of living in exile, expressing loss, hope, and longing, particularly those from his recent album, The Second Baghdad.