Awal Mara (Love At First Sight)
Reviews
Abu Ramses
Reviewed 2011-08-23
Reviewed 2011-08-23
Hassan Erraji, Awal Mara (Love at First Sight); World Village 2010
ALL TRACKS FCC LEAN Reviewed by Abu Ramses
Blind Moroccan singer Hassan Erraji also plays oud (Arabic lute), ney (flute), qanun, violin, keyboards & hand drums. Now lives in Leeds (UK). Erraji returns after a decade off with this mostly upbeat hybrid fusion of Afro-Gnawa-Berber- Jimi Hendrix. A rich, professional, but relaxed, baritone voice; luscious melodies solid riffs & overdubbed instrumental work. Ben Stephens on drums; Kenny Higgins on bass. Backing vocals by his daughter Yasmin on 1, 2, 9. Produced by Dave Creffield (Kaiser Chiefs). Every track has great energy.
Try: 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 9 (Really, any of them, but 3 and 10 seem out of place)
Tracks
1. Awal Mara – (Love at first sight) Upbeat; Shows full range of album’s instrumentation - 3:58
2. Saraha (Frankly) – Driving musical intro; call and response blend - 3:30
3. Mounyati - (My Mounya) Violin-backed Arabic country hoe-down -3:36
4. Haili Ayouma (Oh Dear Where Has My Love Gone?) – Upbeat violin solos; vocal & instrumental response -4:33
5. Samitat Ajam – (Instrumental in 'Ajam mode/maqam) Flute & strings; very fresh sound - 4:17
6. Safir – Hand claps, more typical “Arab” sound - 3:46
7. Blani Alhawa (When she comes walking, watch out. A burning sun, hot hot hot) – Upbeat blend of strings, Berber rhythm with Celtic tones - 4:25
8. Akhadh Aqli (Took my mind)– Mid-tempo ballad with qanun solos - 2:54
9. Malak (Angel)– Soaring violin riffs - 3:53
10. Douka Dance – Presto; Arabic embellishments on what could be an English folk theme; shake your booty - 3:05
ALL TRACKS FCC LEAN Reviewed by Abu Ramses
Blind Moroccan singer Hassan Erraji also plays oud (Arabic lute), ney (flute), qanun, violin, keyboards & hand drums. Now lives in Leeds (UK). Erraji returns after a decade off with this mostly upbeat hybrid fusion of Afro-Gnawa-Berber- Jimi Hendrix. A rich, professional, but relaxed, baritone voice; luscious melodies solid riffs & overdubbed instrumental work. Ben Stephens on drums; Kenny Higgins on bass. Backing vocals by his daughter Yasmin on 1, 2, 9. Produced by Dave Creffield (Kaiser Chiefs). Every track has great energy.
Try: 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 9 (Really, any of them, but 3 and 10 seem out of place)
Tracks
1. Awal Mara – (Love at first sight) Upbeat; Shows full range of album’s instrumentation - 3:58
2. Saraha (Frankly) – Driving musical intro; call and response blend - 3:30
3. Mounyati - (My Mounya) Violin-backed Arabic country hoe-down -3:36
4. Haili Ayouma (Oh Dear Where Has My Love Gone?) – Upbeat violin solos; vocal & instrumental response -4:33
5. Samitat Ajam – (Instrumental in 'Ajam mode/maqam) Flute & strings; very fresh sound - 4:17
6. Safir – Hand claps, more typical “Arab” sound - 3:46
7. Blani Alhawa (When she comes walking, watch out. A burning sun, hot hot hot) – Upbeat blend of strings, Berber rhythm with Celtic tones - 4:25
8. Akhadh Aqli (Took my mind)– Mid-tempo ballad with qanun solos - 2:54
9. Malak (Angel)– Soaring violin riffs - 3:53
10. Douka Dance – Presto; Arabic embellishments on what could be an English folk theme; shake your booty - 3:05
Recent airplay
Blani Alhawa (When She Comes Walking, Watch Out!)
Mediterraneans — Apr 18, 2013
Blani Alhawa (When She Comes Walking, Watch Out!)
Mediterraneans — Jan 30, 2013
Awal Mara (Love At First Sight)
Mediterraneans — Oct 02, 2012
Blani Alhawa (When She Comes Walking, Watch Out!)
Mediterraneans — Apr 17, 2012
Awal Mara (Love At First Sight)
Mediterraneans — Feb 28, 2012
Awal Mara (Love At First Sight)
Mediterraneans — Feb 07, 2012
Charting
2011-09-11 — 2011-11-13
Reggae/World
| Week Ending | Airplays |
|---|---|
| Nov 6 | 2 |
| Oct 30 | 2 |
| Oct 23 | 1 |
| Oct 16 | 1 |
| Oct 9 | 2 |
| Oct 2 | 1 |
Track listing
| 1. | Awal Mara (Love At First Sight) | ||
| 2. | Saraha (Frankly) | ||
| 3. | Mounyati (My Mounya) | ||
| 4. | Haili Ayouma (Oh Dear, Where Has My Love Gone?) | ||
| 5. | Samitat Ajam (Instrumental In 'ajam Mode/Maqam) | ||
| 6. | Safir | ||
| 7. | Blani Alhawa (When She Comes Walking, Watch Out!) | ||
| 8. | Akadh Aqli (Took My Mind) | ||
| 9. | Malak (Angel) | ||
| 10. | Douka Dance |