Peninsular is a pioneering new work which blends the virtually unexplored rhythms of the Arabian Peninsula with the frameworks of African-American jazz. The music of the khaleej (common term used to describe the Arabian Gulf) is famous for its laid-back feel and distinguished sense of swing, which is a trait not found in the music of the rest of the Middle East. Jazz and khaliji music have so much in common due to their shared ancestral African polyrhythm and therefore merging both worlds together was more like connecting two distant family members. Another important aspect of Peninsular is the introduction of “quarter tones” in a rich harmonic context. In this album, Tarek plays on both, acoustic piano and electric keyboard with the latter being programmed to play the quarter tones found in Arabic maqam, giving the compositions an added dimension to their sound.