... you actually stole my words ...
Let me add the ONE:
The signal here is the first strong downbeat, the heavy Doum on first pulse.
Those ONE is called "Wahda" (الوهدة). - "Wahid" means "one" as a number. It's a lot of Arab boys with the name (or "Wahida" when you got a daughter). - So, the "Wahda" claims to be something first, and it's subject is that unheard Doum. - It's important like the capital letter which marks a start of a phrase...
The conception of "Wahda" is to build time framework around all those fills and ornaments wich may happen inbetween the Doums - in that silent gap ... a maximum of creativity! - To be "glued" seems me the best word to explain the relationship inside "Wahda".
Well, you may say: "... and what?! - We have downbeats on the first pulse everywhere! There's nothing especial...!" - I'd tell you: "Sure, but never before I had ever heard this principle celebrating like in eastern rhythms."
In the arrangement here we have one single drum (a Davul b.t.w.) for the only accent grounding the whole piece. That's the art of Wahda - and when you have it on your mind this, you can slightly understand a lot what's different in Arabic participation on rhythms.
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