Aziza
Brahim – Abbar el Hamada (Glitterbeat Records)
LP
/ CD / DL
Out
now
8
/ 10
Saharan
musician and activist returns with her new album.
There
can be few things more delightful than the angelic voice of Aziza Brahim. The Saharawi raised singer has tones which
will melt your heart amidst words that should melt your soul. In exile for over twenty years via Cuba and
Barcelona, Abbar el Hamada was recorded in the Spanish capital with Glitterbeat
founder and Dirtmusic member, Chris Eckman.
Opening
with the mellow sounds of Buscando La Paz, a track which beautifully displays
the range of Brahims voice within some traditional Saharawi sounds before
moving on to the desert rock of Calles De Dajila which stands as one of the
album highlights.
The
album moves through several styles ranging from traditional Saharawi to West
African rhythms and Mediterranean sounds, often integrating them all to create
some quite stunning tracks. El Canto De
La Arena moves back to balladry as Brahim’s voice echoes and swirls around a
delicate backing.
Her
previous album, Soutak was one of the best of 2014 and helped to raise her
profile on a Worldwide scale as it spent three months at the top of the World
Music Charts Europe becoming their album of the year, and prompting an
appearance on Later…With Jools Holland to extend her profile further in the UK.
It’s
easy to see her appeal and very easy to become an admirer. Her tones are stunning and her songwriting is
quite often perfect. Mixing politics
with cultural concerns it’s not mindless either, there’s an underlying essence
to her music which makes it all the more intriguing.
The
album title, translated as Across The Hamada, represents the rocky desert where
tens of thousands of refugees are stranded and maybe also indicates the far
reaching admiration for her music. With
a wonderful percussive interlude in La Cordillera Negra, a piece of Afro-Cuban
intervention, more styles and passions arise.
Abbar
el Hamada is inspiring to say the least, and one of those ‘must hear’ albums
that come along every once and a while.
Aziza Brahim is not only a musician but also a hopeful revolutionary
whose music has the ability to touch and effect many. Another wonderful album to add to her
catalogue.
Links
Glitterbeat Records
Aziza Brahim blog
Aziza Brahim on Twitter
Aziza Brahim on Facebook
Soutak album review
Dirtmusic
Published on Louder Than War 12/03/16 - here
No comments:
Post a Comment