Search - Chalf Hassan :: Arabic Songs from North Africa

Another root of flamenco

Dr. Debra Jan Bibel | Oakland, CA USA | 07/14/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Morocco and Andalusian Spain are world crossroads. The music of Morocco especially is extraordinarily varied with many styles and influences, including those of indigenous Berbers, the Black peoples of Mali and Senegal (the gnawa), modern French-Europop singers, classical Moorish Iberian set pieces, and Arabs. There have been centuries of fusions. While many recordings are available of Arabo-Andalusian music, Berber and Gnawa music, Sufi songs, and so forth, traditional Arabic songs of Morocco have been lacking. This CD fills the gap admirably. The powerful rhythms are of rocking camels in caravans, the songs are call-and-response, and the clapping patterns are certainly the root of flamenco's palmas. The music is not really restricted to Morocco and "North Africa" in the title is indeed proper, for the sound can be heard from the Atlantic to the Red Sea. If you like Hamza el Din's recording, Eclipse, you will enjoy this recording."