Arab music
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Album review: Naima Shalhoub's "Siphr"
Juxtaposing harsh realities with bright hope
"Siphr", Naima Shalhoub's first studio album, is a reflection of both the musician's Lebanese background and her commitment to social justice. While each song is a compelling mixture of musical and lyrical influences from both her American home and her Middle Eastern heritage, the album is deeply rooted in the philosophy of numbers and their symbolic and literal meanings. By Richard Marcus
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16th Morgenland Festival Osnabruck
A virtual journey of sound across the Balkans
As a consequence of the coronavirus pandemic, the Osnabruck Morgenland Festival took place via YouTube for the first time – transporting us to new cultural regions through music. Marian Brehmer attended several of the virtual concerts
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Album review: Bab L'Bluz's "Nayda"
Rocking the gateway to the desert
The Franco-Moroccan band Bab L'Bluz has named their debut CD "Nayda!" after the musical youth movement. Stefan Franzen introduces the unique music combo
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"Masaa"
A fence turns to water
On their fourth CD "Irade" (willpower), Masaa has left its piano sound behind, yet continues with its new guitarist to pursue a path that bridges jazz improvisation and Arabic sounds. By Stefan Franzen
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Album review: Soundwalk Collective with Patti Smith – "Mummer Love"
Harar awakening
What do New York City poet and musician Patti Smith, the late French poet Arthur Rimbaud, composer Philip Glass, Ethiopian musician Mulatu Astatke and the Sufi Group of Sheikh Ibrahim have in common? After listening to the album "Mummer Love" from Soundwalk Collective, you may begin to find the connection. Review by Richard Marcus
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Overcoming cultural divisions
"Iraq is full of inspiring stories"
At the end of November, a squad of young cultural creatives from all over Iraq met in Erbil, in the country’s north. Their work spans the fault lines that run through Iraqi society, and draws parallels to the revolution in Baghdad and in the country as a whole. Christopher Resch reports from Erbil
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British-Bahraini trumpeter Yazz Ahmed
Diving for pearls
Yazz Ahmed is one of the most exciting personalities on the lively London jazz scene. Her complex musical suites combine the traditions of her Bahraini roots and jazz improvisation. On her new album, she honours outstanding women, including those from the Muslim culture. By Stefan Franzen
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Art and censorship
Iran and Egypt – where making music means torture and exile
Musical freedom of expression is under fire, but artists like Iran's Farzane Zamen and Egypt's Ramy Essam refuse to be silenced. Cristina Burak has the details
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Music and human rights in Saudi Arabia
To perform or not to perform?
International pop artists like K-pop group Super Junior are hugely popular in Saudi Arabia. But should international stars shun the Gulf monarchy because of its poor record on human rights? And if they do choose to perform there, are they indirectly supporting the country's repressive policies? By Nermin Ismail
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Rabih Abou-Khalilʹs "The Flood and the Fate of the Fish"
Crisp chamber music
After a seven year break, Rabih Abou-Khalil, a pioneer in Oriental jazz, has released a new album entitled "The Flood and the Fate of the Fish". Stefan Franzen met the musician on the Cote d'Azur
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Balkan DJs initiate anti-racism parties
Berlin's Arab Beats
The creator of Berlin's legendary Balkan Beats nights, Robert Soko, has now launched Arab Beats, an event that invites Syrian refugees and German party-goers to come together – and snub the country's racist movements. By Robert Rigney
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Album review: Reem Kelaniʹs "Why Do I Love Her?"
Sweet discomfort
As a prelude to the album she's currently working on, "This Land is Your Land", Reem Kelani has just released the four track EP "Why Do I Love Her" – recorded live at the Tabernacle in London. By Richard Marcus