Search - Nass El Ghiwane :: Salama

Nass El Ghiwane forever!

Maxwell Hannibal | Newark, NJ | 11/26/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album was recorded in the mid-90's, before Abderrahmane Paco left the band, and Laarbi Batma died of lung cancer in 1997. It goes without saying that this is the last output from the classic line-up of the Ghiwanes or "the Bohemians". the four songs in this recording all contain the mysticism and energy that the band was known for since the late 60's. Paco starts with the usual spoken poetry in colloquial Moroccan arabic (or zajal) in "Ouach Jra Lek" (what happened to you?), accompanied with an unusual ney (flute) melody, then there is a silence before the storm begins: Laarbi pounds his tbila like there is no tomorrow, Paco's Guembri sends the audience into trance, Omar keeps the rhythm spiced up with his bendir and Allal makes the lute melodies flow from his "pseudo-banjo": clearly, this is sheer Nass el Ghiwane! then comes "Salama" (peace), a song about how the miserable situation in Morocco in all aspects, their favorite (only?) lyrical subject. After comes what I consider the best song of the album: "El Kalma" (the word), very powerful song driven by Paco and his guembri, you have to hear it to understand. the last song is "Nadam" (remorse) which also adheres to their style. I highly recommend this album, whether this is the first time you are listening to Nass el Ghiwane or not. I also suggest you get their other albums as well as albums from similar bands Jil Jilala and Lemchaheb."