Black Flies

Mawwal – Black Flies
Reviewed by Sadie O., 7/26/07
Outstanding World Fusion music from the East Coast. “Mawwal” is a Middle Eastern musical genre that often criticizes society. Sung in English and Arabic, with traditional and other instruments, but not traditional in sound at all. Tracks 2 and 6 feature vocals by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan with permission of his estate, with completely new musical arrangements. Guitar and bass are particularly notable throughout (the main character, Jim Matus, is a guitarist, and the bassist, Percy Jones, is simply amazing.) A really different sound, everything absolutely gorgeous. It’s a winner!
No FCCs detected. Play everything, often!
1. ***slow and swingy hand drums, guitar and chant. Apparently originally a traditional Libyan song, much enhanced by really sweet bass and a bit of violin.
2. ****starts with throat singing! Sure winner right there… Tablas and more cool bass, and N.F.A.K.’s unmistakable vocals. This is pretty astounding stuff!
3. ***It’s almost hard rock, but an arrangement of a traditional Syrian piece. For some reason it reminds me a bit of Peter Gabriel’s worldier pieces (that is not a put down!)
4. ***music seems to all be sliding instruments… Toasting song from Uzbekistan. I think I’ve localized the Gabrielish sound to the vocals… Excellent percussion work, particularly starting around 2 minutes in.
5. ***starts with hand drums, other instruments add on, swingy midtempo groove. Lyrics in English, based on Middle Eastern political commentary poetry. They’re often pretty buried in layers of music, though – but biting, when you can make them out.
6. ***starts with count out, then downtempo music involving tables and violin, but also very western-sounding guitar bits, and N.F.A.K. vocal acrobatics. Music builds and softens repeatedly.
7. ***throat singing! Vocal chorus, Sufi lyrics. Main music starts after a minute, very relaxed and rather trance-y. Mind you, also gorgeous. Some soaring female voice. Everything ramps up a notch after about 3 minutes.
8. ****interesting vocal harmonies. Traditional Yemen tune updated, particularly cool bass on this one. Moments of instrumental transcendence.
9. **downbeat percussion and bass, male and female vocals in English, based on Bulgarian song.