Arabic and Moroccan trip hop, dub, chill out and trance

14 MP3 Songs
WORLD: Middle East, ELECTRONIC: Dub



Details:
After over eleven years of collaborations with diverse Barraka artists (such as Aisha Kandishas Jarring Effects, Ahlam, Azzddine...) and after over 10'000 sold copies of their previous albums âAgdal Reptiles On Majounâ 1995 and âAl Bharrâ 1998, Youssef El Mejjad and Pat Jabbar finally release their third album âDestination Halalâ under the name of Amira Saqati (Moroccan dialect for âa piece of somethingâ). Far from any âsex & drugs & rockânârollâ - party lifestyle attitude, the recordings were made in Marrakech during the spiritual and holy period of Ramadan 2004, under as âHalalâ as possible conditions. Even if music in general became a secondary thing in their lifes, it still remains an important and strong way of expression, to share ideas and convictions. The main message of this album, tries to bring in question the values of our actual way of life. Do we need all these permanent and transitory distractions to get satisfied ? May our passions give us the solution of being happy ? Does materialism and possession save our souls ? What is the definition of freedom ? Did we not get any signs or are we just afraid of facing the hidden truth ... ? The aim of Amira Saqati is not to convince or change anyone, but just to give some possible indications and suggestions...
The music is a fusion of Moroccan Melhoun elements, Shabi, Raï, Gnawa and Oriental styles, melted with Dub, Lounge, Trip Hop and Electronica influences. âMarrakech X-Pressâ is a strong Pop track about ruthlessness and betrayal. Deep Bendir beats with a Lotare melody meet heavy Rock riffs and do remind us of Nass El Ghiwane (The Moroccan Rolling Stones from the 70âs). The song âZouakâ, which talks about how easily people go astray, far from their religion and faith, has a Ragga groove with typical Shabi-violin and vocal parts. âPsy Habibiâ even comes in a Progressive Trance, full on the floor, hypnotic way. âThe cobra Danceâ is an abstract, experimental soundscape with lots of Ghita-flutes, taking you for a ride direct to the Djema El Fna, the central place in Marrakech. âImaneâ builds up with a Tribal beat and Flamenco guitars, to end in a second part of heavy distortions and rockish riffs. âHel Aeynikâ, what ? did you say âBlue Mondayâ or New Order ?, wasnt our intention...lol...
Multi-instrumentalist Yousef El Mejjad did the main vocals on nearly every track, played the Oud, Lotare, Violins, Gembri, Keyboards as the traditional Arabic percussion instruments like Bendir, Tarija, Tbel and Darbuka. Many guest appearances of diverse friends, helped âDestination Halalâ to become a contrasting and multicoloured work. Maybe the most spectacular happnening was, when 18 years old Sana asked the band during a show in Marrakech to play an Oum Keltoum song, so that she could sing over it. Her performance was incredible. She got invited with her friend Fatima-Ezzohra to sing on three tracks. A few month later she participated in a music contest on Moroccan TV channel 2M and succeeded to be under the first five. The French Rap-Duo Illicite & Opium from St.Louis (both immigrants, one from Gambia, the other from Morocco), let their anger flow over the situation in Palestine in track âFalestineâ. Casus from Turkish Hip Hop crew Makale, gives his opinion in Turkish on opening track âMadintiâ. MY Hassan, memeber of Aisha Kandishaâs Jarring Effects, played the Ney and did some background vocals on tracks âSabra Dimaâ and âGalbi Tabeâ. Jamal Farraki, a young music conservatory teacher from Marrakech, played acoustic guitars on âSans tes Motsâ and âImaneâ.
Four musicians on stage will rock the âDestination Halalâ shows at festivals and in clubs. For booking and interviews, contact Barraka now !!!