Alem Jdid (New World)

Samsa
Skander Guetari
World | Oct 2012

Reviews

Abu Ramses
Reviewed 2012-10-15
SamSa, “Alem Jdid (New World) – Skander Guetari, 2012
ALL TRACKS FCC CLEAN Reviewed by Abu Ramses

SamSa is a world pop/jazz group formed by two Tunisians living in Paris: soprano vocalist Sana Sassi and guitarist Skander Guetari. In 2007 they won the prize for the best group at the Tunisian Music Festival. They sing mostly in Arabic and incorporate Western rhythms. The ensemble includes Turkish Emrah Keptan (bass), Franco-Italian Benjamin Ferrugia (drums), French Nicolas Derolin (percussion) and Tunisians Kais Melliti (keyboards and oud), Khalil Chekir (qanun) and Iyad Labbène (violin). Title of the CD refers to the possibilities in post-Ben ‘Ali Tunisia.

Tracks
***1. Ramchet Ain (Blink of an eye) Swingy, acoustic guitar, country-style musical bridges, solo vocal, choral backup - 3:49
**2. Alem Jdid (New world) Upbeat, driving - 4:27
3. Nsima (Breath of life) Bossa nova-ish beat - 4:30
**4. Tir Ellil (Bird of the night) Slow ballad, acoustic guitar, solo vocal, pace picks up around 2 min. in - 4:13
5. Fartattou (I over-indulged ?) - child’s voice intro, then upbeat - 3:46
6. Mawel (A song/poem) Upbeat, happy, “Sing me a song” - 3:46
***7. Goutte d’eau (A drop of water) Skander on guitar & vocal solo, then duet; French café ballad style (think Jacques Brel)- 4:17
8. Harrarni (Free me) – upbeat, percussion forward, instrumental ensemble - 3:37
9. Hkeyet (A story) – percussion solo intro, Sana vocal solo, crescendo of speed and sound - 4:07
*10. Qalbi Ma Kayelli Khir (My heart tells me something isn’t right) Slow ballad; guitar, bass intro, Sana vocal; last ¼ is upbeat with violin forward - 4:34
11. Am El Hedi Wezzitouna (Year of calm & olive trees) Up-tempo, Latin beat-4:36
12. Nsima (Instrumental) – Same Bossa nova-ish beat as 3 - 4:29

Recent airplay

. Ramchet Ain (Blink Of An Eye)
MediterraneansJun 06, 2013
Alem Jdid (New World)
MediterraneansMar 13, 2013
. Ramchet Ain (Blink Of An Eye)
MediterraneansFeb 27, 2013
Harrarni (Free Me)
MediterraneansFeb 13, 2013
Goutte D’Eau (A Drop Of Water)
Music CasseroleDec 15, 2012
Alem Jdid (New World), Qalbi Ma Kayelli Khir (My Heart Tells Me Something Isn’T Right)
ArabologyNov 29, 2012

Charting

2012-10-21 — 2012-12-23 Reggae/World
Week EndingAirplays
Dec 16 1
Dec 2 1
Nov 25 1
Nov 11 2
Nov 4 1
Oct 28 2

Track listing

1. . Ramchet Ain (Blink Of An Eye)
2. Alem Jdid (New World)
3. Nsima (Breath Of Life)
4. Tir Ellil (Bird Of The Night)
5. Fartattou (I Over-Indulged, Correct Translation?)
6. Mawel (A Song/Poem)
7. Goutte D?Eau (A Drop Of Water)
8. Harrarni (Free Me)
9. Hkeyet (A Story)
10. Qalbi Ma Kayelli Khir (My Heart Tells Me Something Isn?T Right)
11. Am El Hedi Wezzitouna (Year Of Calm & Olive Trees)
12. Nsima (Instrumental)