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Discovery Records
specialist music - mail order |
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• "Al-Maraya" (The Mirror) is the second album by the Al-Andaluz Project - the Spanish-German ensemble who have brought together - and to life - the early folk music of the Sephardic Jewish, Arab and Christian traditions of Moorish Spain.
• They were created by the part-blending of two successful groups : the Valencian band L’Ham de Foc and the German early music specialists, Estampie. Their first album, ‘Deus et Diabolus’, released in 2008, was a great success across Europe, reaching high in the European World Music charts.
• The Al-Andaluz Project is led by the superb trio of female voices : Mara Aranda (of L’Ham de Foc), Imam Al Kandoussi and Sigi Hausen (Estampie) - backed by a wonderful spectrum of folk and early music instruments, played by Michael Popp (musical director of Estampie), Aziz Samsaoui, Jota Martinez and Ernst Schwindl (Estampie) - they have also added an Indian tabla player and a Russian percussionist. This is a true cultural exchange that knows no boundaries.
• ‘Al-Andaluz’ was the name given to old, Moorish-governed Spain (approximately from the 8th Century to the 15th) not only famous for its tolerance and scholarship, but for prosperity, trade and flourishing arts as well. For many centuries, people with different religions - Muslim, Jewish and Christian - lived together in peace and inspired each other. This musical collaboration seeks to mirror that lost era. |
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Track Listing for Al-Maraya
1. Dezilde a mi amor
2. El regateo de las consuegras
3. Un sirventes novel
4. Segunda Twichia Nuba Garibat El Hussein - Insiraf Btahyi Garibat El Hussein
5. Non sofre Santa Maria
6. La huérfana del prisionero - Yedi Kule
7. Maravillosos et piadosos
8. Al-Garnati - El Bulbul
9. Hija mia
10. Pero que seja a gente
11. Segunda Twichia Istihlal - Insiraf Btayhi Istihlal: Gaybatuk
12. Des oge mais quer’ eu trobar - Yo me levantaria - Insiraf Btahyi Garibat El Hussein
13. Quen a omagen da Virgen
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Reviews |
| Financial Times - David Honigman |
| There is an unexpected thrill in hearing thirteenth century Marian hymns in full Andalucian guise, with quarter-tone singing and a rattle of Arabic percussion. **** |
| The Guardian - Robin Denselow |
| The result mixes Sephardic Jewish, Christian and Arabic styles, with the three singers all handling lead vocals and adding harmonies, against a lush backing that includes Middle Eastern instruments such as the saz and qanun, and hand-percussion such as the Indian tabla. The playing is sturdy rather than emotional, but there are some powerful fusions, with North African-influenced backing on the Sephardic Yo Me Levantaria, or the Christian Quen a Omagen da Virgen. *** |
| DJ Debbie, African Essence - Resonance 104.4 FM |
| "Firstly THANK YOU THANK YOU so very much for the Al Andaluz Project CD - sheer bliss - a glorious release…" |
| Scotsman - Michael Church |
| a rich brew of medieval and folk instruments. moments of wistful, winsome magic |
| fRoots - Jan Fairley |
| The album is a flowing sequence of beautiful pieces with undulating melodies drawn from the combined Muslim, Christian and Jewish worlds. |
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Discovery catalogue available for
Al Andaluz Project
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Deus et Diabolus
Al-Maraya
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