MCPE Records is a French label who seem to specialize in great North African music. This release featured what looks to have been a cassette by Algerian Raï singer Boutaiba S’Ghir, and it’s as joyous and synthy as one would expect from the genre.
Båul have managed to release an album which travels the world while residing in the beautiful state of Colorado. They mix Arabic, Russian, Hebrew and other music together into a cohesive, energetic album. Really fun listening.
To our Eastern Orthodox friends, we wish you a blessed Pascha. Christ is Risen!
To celebrate the day, we have the legendary Lebanese singer Fairuz singing the paschal greeting in Greek and Arabic.
This has to be one of the more elegant releases I’ve had the pleasure of spending my evenings with in a few weeks. Ombra are a quintent, as I understand it, based in Barcelona, Spain. This sumptuous release blends everything from jazz, a touch of waltz, Arabic and Balkan music with vocals sung in a myriad of languages including Ladino, spoken today in Israel and parts of the Balkans. This is true ethno-jazz, fusing together music, scales and traditions together seamlessly. For further information, consider visiting their promotional page at Tejo Milenario.
Personnel:
Andranik Muradyan — Klarinet
Albert Pintor — Arabic Oud
Jorge Quesada — Piano
José Borjas — Doublebass
Rafael Lagunas — Drums & Percussion
Guests
Juan Pablo Balcazar — Doublebass
Ernest Martínez — Udú & Riq / Cajon
Martí Serra — Alto Sax
Vigen Hovsepyan — Armenian Voice
Kristina Bijelic — Voice & Violin
Tànit Navarro — Sephardic Voice