South African cellist Abel Selaocoe pays tribute to Hukwe Zawose on new track ‘Zawose’
'Zawose' is taken from his forthcoming debut album on Warner Classics, Where Is Home (Hae Ke Kae).
Sun, 03 July 22
Nayda! by Bab L’ Bluz is out now digitally
The debut album by Moroccan-French four-piece Bab L' Bluz is out now on all digital platforms. The album's title 'Nayda!' refers to a new youth movement of Moroccan artists and musicians taking their cues from local heritage, singing words of freedom in the Moroccan-Arabic dialect of darija (‘nayda’ means both ‘to rise up’ and ‘to party’).
“More than anything we’re a rock band,” declares frontwoman Yousra, who sings, ululates and fires riffs from her goatskin-covered awicha [small guembri] like some Berber warrior goddess. “We use the awicha as a guitar and the guembri as a bass, both at different tunings. We channel our huge range of influences into music that crosses borders and travels through time.”
“The production, rich in reverb and distortion – though never in excess – makes the most of this intoxicating blend. This is a band, once we can get out to gigs again, that’ll set your heart on fire and blow your troubles away” ★★★★ The Arts Desk
“Dans son premier album, Nayda, le groupe Bab L’ Bluz fait résonner les rythmes de transe gnaoua dans les champs magnétiques du rock et les volutes d’encens. Poétique et puissant.” Pan African Music
The album will be available on CD and vinyl from 24 July 2020. Anyone who pre-orders these formats via the Real World Store will receive an advance digital copy of the album.
Featured release
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Released 05 June 2020
Moroccan-French power quartet, Bab L’ Bluz, reclaim the blues for North Africa. Fronted by an African-Moroccan woman in a traditionally male role, Bab L’ Bluz are devoted to a revolution in attitude which dovetails with Morocco’s ‘nayda’ youth movement – a new wave of artists and musicians taking their cues from local heritage, singing words of freedom in the Moroccan-Arabic dialect of darija.
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Further reading
Les Amazones d’Afrique to play Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury Festival
The Glastonbury date forms part of the band's forthcoming UK tour.
Mon, 30 May 22
Track of the day: ‘Sajanava’ by Jasdeep Singh Degun
Sajanava is taken from Jasdeep Singh Degun's debut album Anomaly.
Fri, 08 April 22
Track of the day: ‘Kurunba’ by Rokia Koné & Jacknife Lee
'Kurunba' is the second single from the forthcoming album BAMANAN.
Fri, 14 January 22