Shabazi - A Tribute to the Poet Yemen Blues

• 1Ya Baum Etranan Wasih06:17
• 2Ahalel El Asher Yatzak06:51
• 3Aane Shir Hadash04:02
• 4Ya Galb Ma Ja Lac Tuhanzan09:17
• 5Levavi Yehsheka Ofra05:28
• 6Shoshvinim Baou06:06
• 7Eretz Veshamaim07:59
• 8Ashkava02:48
• Total Runtime48:48

Info for Shabazi - A Tribute to the Poet

The band was formed in 2010 by Yemeni-born Israeli multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter Ravid Kahalani, who lives between Tel Aviv and Helsinki. At the crossroads of blues, funk and rock, the band's music is tinged with the various influences of the Middle East. The timelessness of ancestral grooves is evident in this music, which oscillates between black American music, the vibrations of the Saharan desert, Nubian, Gnawi, Tuareg, Saidi and Bambara music. They usually tour the United States, Europe and the Arab world. The origin of their name and their music comes from the strength it draws from the culture of Yemen, the crossroads of the Arab world, East Africa and Jewish cultures. A culture that reconciles the learned, the popular and mystical experiences. By connecting these age-old and essential trances with the energies of blues, funk and rock, we get the music of YEMEN BLUES. It has to be said that Ravid has always had the opportunity to surround himself well. First with composer Omer Avital, musical director of the eponymous debut album released in 2011, then with bassist and oud player Shanir Blumenkranz from the Tzadik galaxy, John Zorn, Yo-Yo Ma (Silk Road Project), with the release of the album Insaniya, in 2015, produced by Bill Laswell, producer of Herbie Hancock, George Clinton, Touré Kunda, and which contains a duet with Oxmo Puccino. In this case, the mix was made by producer Tamir Muskat (co-founder of Balkan Beat Box and producer of Asaf Avidan, Gogol Bordello, A-WA and Ester Rada), and it's masterful. Shabazi's project was to set to 21st-century music the most beautiful texts by the 17th-century Yemeni poet Shalem Shabazi. A reconciliation between the leader's secular culture and his ability to project it in the trendy clubs of New York, Paris, Tangiers and Tel Aviv...

Ravid Kahalani sings and plays the gumbri (a plucked string instrument), Shanir Blumenkranz plays bass and oud, Rony Iwryn plays percussion and Dan Mayo plays drums. This is a fantastic project, and a must-see! Captivating music, capable of enlightening and uplifting all who hear it! An astonishing band that we'll be hearing about again and again! A must-have album, for the whole world to hear!

Ravid Kahalani, vocals, gumbri
Shanir Blumenkranz, bass, oud
Rony Iwryn, percussion
Dan Mayo, drums

Yemen Blues
has created a sound that swirls with the Yemenite tradition of Muslims, Christians and Jews, with contemporary overlays of rock & roll, jazz & blues. The charismatic singer Ravid Kahalani has gathered high class musicians around him and the ensemble plays inspiring live music that touches every audience. One of the most unique percussion set ups and an extreme, versatile rhythm section are the pulsating, danceable underpinning of this unique musical collaboration.

Yemen Blues seems to have an unusual appeal, because although their last album was some years ago, they have found a large audience at over 300 concerts in recent years.

This album contains no booklet.