The Almighty Groove offers Colombian rhythms and African roots on debut EP Frère d’Afrique
The Almighty Groove is the new production imprint of long-time musical adventurer, John Hollis.
Fri, 15 November 24
The Master Musicians Of Jajouka led by Bachir Attar
Morocco
Jajouka Between the Mountains
The Master Musicians Of Jajouka led by Bachir Attar
Released 24 June 2022
- My God My Love Has Come
- The Real Long Night In Jajouka
- Boujeloudia
The Master Musicians Of Jajouka led by Bachir Attar
Liner notes
This is a music from a very long time ago. From so far back in the recesses of the brain, so far gone into the mists and fog of history, that only the very old and those fortunate enough to still walk and earth where magic and mystery live and breathe can understand.
This is a music of one family who settled in the gold-green foothills of the Moroccan rif, way up on the Mount of the Owls a thousand years ago. The descendants of this first Attar, a sufi from Persia, still play the magical music that brings Pan from his lair deep in these ancient hills.
In a world where magic and mystery are fast disappearing, the playing of the Master Musicians of Jajouka still conjures the demons and saints of long ago.
This is a music that cannot be ignored. It may be that this could be the last generation that can experience this magic, for the music belongs to one family, to a special place in space and time that is one of the last free places on earth.
This is a music whose practitioners grow old— there is no guarantee that the young will take their place. But here, captured live in performance at Real World after their first European tour for more than a decade, is music which is a record of our past —an inspiration for our future— and whose time is now.
Further Listening
-
Released 30 August 1993
Primal Moroccan trance traditions collide with psychedelic New York rock and London dance grooves. What results is part of the on-going story of Gnawa music, which spread from West Africa, the Sudan, and the Southern Sahara through centuries of migration until it reached Morocco. -
Released 26 June 1995
Abdelli is a Berber of the Kabyle people, indigenous North Africans who have inhabited the region since pre-Arab times. New Moon is the poetic and passionate music of a man who brings his ancient culture into the modern world through collaboration with musicians from South America and the Ukraine.
Further reading
GRIT wins Modern Scottish Classic Award
The Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA) has today announced Martyn Bennett’s final studio a...
Thu, 03 October 24
Track of the day: ‘IWAIWA FUNK’ by Bab L’ Bluz
French-Moroccan power quartet Bab L' Bluz, release the third track from their album Swaken.
Fri, 05 April 24
Track of the day: ‘AmmA’ by Bab L’ Bluz
'AmmA' draws on music from north-east Morocco and influences from Tunisia and Algeria.
Fri, 08 March 24