This is a bit of a surprise as Morocco's Majid Bekkas joins forces with Waaju to produce the most 'WOMAD' of albums that surpasses the live album experience with 'Alouane'.
Majid is in his 60s now and acknowledged as one of the top performers of Moroccan Gnawa music that has attracted collaborations in the past with top jazz artists as varied as Pharoah Sanders, Peter Brötzmann, Archie Shepp, Nguyên Lê and many more.
So who better to ask to join Waaju for a live recording of 'Alouane' (translates as 'Colours' in Arabic) which was Bekkas first visit to the UK at the time of recording. The inspiration for a 9 track album came from Waaju's drummer Ben Brown and it's his arrangements of traditional Gnawa songs give the feel on Mali desert blues meets a jazz-rock fusion trip.
Heavily percussive and supplemented by some busy guitar and sax, Majid's vocal performance easily enhances the album and it's the likes of existing fans Gilles Peterson, Jorda Rakei, Jazz FM et al will be on top of this one.
Artist: Waaju featuring Majid Bekkas
Title: Alouane
Release date: 11th October, 2024
Label : BBE Music
Catalog Number :BBE608
Format: 2 x LP, Digital / Bandcamp
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