Following up on their earlier 'From Cairo to Casablanca,' 'Arabic Groove' and 'Sahara Lounge' releases, world music label Putumayo has collected together acoustic tracks (some thus far unreleased) from Souad Massi, Rasha, Maurice el Medioni, Les Orientales, Zein al-Jundi and others. In fact, not only did Zein al-Jundi write the liner notes, but she also included a new track ('Wijjak Ma’ii') from her long awaited second album. To coincide with this, Putumayo arranged for al-Jundi to perform a live concert in Austin. I was unable to go, but fortunately she performs regularly so anyone interested should try and see her perform live if you ever happen to be in Texas.
Likewise, we've already had the Rough Guides to Arabic Cafe, North African Cafe and Bellydance Cafe. Their newest release takes us to the hammams and smoke-filled coffee shops of Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir. This album spans the sounds of Anatolia, from pop star Sezen Aksu to the Gypsy Fasil sound of Selim Sesler to Sultana's controversial hip-hop. And it includes a stunning performance of Daleh Yaman by Knar and Tatiana Bostan. To top it off, later this month, they will be releasing the debut album of Algerian artist Akim el Sikameya and a DVD release of Sufi Soul, which features performances by Abida Parveen, Mercan Dede, Youssou N'Dour, Junoon and others.
Following hot on the heels of their debut self-titled album, Persian fusion ensemble Niyaz has released a deluxe double-CD album featuring more electronic Sufi songs for the 21st century. With the combined talents of the Azam Ali's heavenly vocals, Loga Ramin Torkian on saz and rebab, and electronic remixing from Carmen Rizzo, Niyaz is perhaps the most exciting project in Iranian music since the 'Masters of Persian Music' CDs.
The newest release by former Trans-Global Underground vocalist Natacha Atlas, this acoustic album finds her too returning to her roots. Influenced by the classical Arabic music of Abdel Halim Hafez, Muhammad Abdel Wahhab, Fairuz and Oum Kalthoum, Atlas recreates the Golden Age of Cairo's music scene. But, as always, she doesn't confine herself to Arabic music entirely. Showcasing her talents, she also does a stirring rendition of the ballad 'Black is the Color of My True Love's Hair' and reads a poem by Frida Kahlo. A good, eclectic mix, brought to life by her divine voice, as always.
That should be enough music to keep anyone happy until the forth coming Chicago World Music show, which will feature performances by Mamek Khadem, Gaida Hinnawi, Lamajaml, Richard Hagopian's Kef Time Ensemble, Baba Zula, and many others. Look forward to that.
1 comment:
why did you crop me out of my niyaz album cover..?
carmen
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