Abdelli

Abdelli is a Berber of the Kabyle people, indigenous North Africans who inhabited the region since pre-Arab times. His main instrument is the mandola, a cross between a guitar and a lute and a member of the mandolin family.

Abdelli is committed to bringing the music of his homeland to as many people as he can: “The music existed long before the arrival of Islam and the Arabs,” he said. “It’s closer to the Mediterranean Sea, like the music of Corsica or Greece, rather than to Arabic music.”

Abdelli began performing throughout Europe in the mid-’80s, which led him to concert performances at WOMAD and performing on bills with the likes of Yehudi Menuhin and Ravi Shankar.

Abdelli has recorded two acclaimed albums on Real World Records, 1995’s New Moon and 2003’s Among Brothers.

Further reading

John Metcalfe announces new album and reveals first track ‘Xylem’

Tree is set for release on vinyl, CD and digitally via Real World Records on 22 September 2023.

The Breath announce new album and reveal first new song

The Breath have announced details of a new album, Land of My Other, ten original tracks of raw, gorg...

Track of the day: ‘We Are Part Mineral’ by Hannah Peel & Paraorchestra

Hannah Peel & Paraorchestra share new single, ‘We Are Part Mineral’, the latest to be taken from...

Jocelyn Pook & Akram Khan on reimagining The Jungle Book

BAFTA & Olivier award-winning composer Jocelyn Pook releases Jungle Book reimagined on Real World X.