Direct From the Djma Al Fna

MAJMOUÂT ABDE ELHAKIM – “Direct from the Djma al Fna”
Postworld Industries, 2004

This percussion & vocal quintet plays nightly in Marrakesh’s Djma al Fna plaza, hustling for change and laying down some incredible North African grooves with raw, gravelly call and response vocals that a bluesman would describe as “tuff”. Studio tracks (2,4,5,7,9) alternate with recordings of the plaza itself, which are just awseome. It’s all good; check it out!

Fo’s picks: 2, 3, 9

3, 6, 8 – live recordings mix mad music, talk, and laughter – lots of fun, only about 2 minutes each. #3 is the best of these.

2, 4, 5, 7, 9 – studio tracks, all similar: start medium/uptempo and gradually get faster, call and response vocals. Last minute or two has a different rhythm & lyric, ending in a celebratory freakout. #5 starts in the street, then comes indoors; #9 is short (2 minutes).

10. 17:15 – outdoor music for 5 minutes, yelling for 1 minute, 5 minutes of silence, then “hidden” track with backwards & reverb effects

[ Fo ] – 9/7/2004