Baraaim El-Louz ‘The Buds Of The Almond Tree’ new album by Koum Tara in Peaceful Radio Show 1565
30 October 2023 Uncategorized
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French-Algerian super group from Lyon, Koum Tara’s much anticipated 2023 album is set to release on the 20th October, 2023. BARAAIM EL-LOUZ translates from Arabic as ‘The Buds of the Almond Tree’ and is an exciting meld of Algerian chaâbi and jazz that all rotates around the powerful axis of exceptional jazz pianist and album producer, Karim Maurice.
‘Koum Tara’ as well as the album name ‘BARAAIM EL-LOUZ’ both take their name from poems written by the 18th century Algerian poet, Mohamed Bendebbah. ‘Koum Tara’ translates as ‘come and see’, while BARAAIM EL-LOUZ is a poem about fresh beginnings,
“The buds of the almond tree was a line from the poem which is an invitation to admire spring, its renewal and its continuity. Renewal, because the group, with its new singer, has come up with original compositions and texts that attempt to open up new horizons for modern chaâbi”.
The new repertoire of BARAAIM EL-LOUZ’s first took shape during the confinement of 2020. The album further explores the roots of chaâbi with traditional melodies and lyrics by Mahboub Bati, Dahmane El Harrachi and Mohamed El Badji, thus honouring some of the great personalities of this popular music style. BARAAIM EL-LOUZ’s is enriched by original compositions and previously unpublished texts, written mainly by the singer Hamidou (Mohamed Hamam) and Karim Maurice.
Koum Tara’s string quartet players are members of La Camerata, who have since 2012 become an executive producer and partner for some of Karim Maurice’s creations which includes Koum Tara. Created in 2004, La Camerata is a Lyon-based string orchestra that plays without a conductor. Founded by Gaël Rassaert, La Camerata stands out for its original artistic approach, free from hierarchical structures and favouring work and commitment in participatory and democratic forms. The orchestra has performed at classical, world and jazz festivals in France and internationally. Vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Hamidou contributes greatly to the album’s journey, while also performing on Algerian mandole, banjo, darbouka and bendir. As producer and pianist Karim Maurice says,
“At a time when humanity, respect for different cultures and tolerance are seen as necessary values for building a better world, Koum Tara offers and continues to defend a musical universe where everyone brings their own identity, heritage and originality to the song of universal love.”
BARAAIM EL-LOUZ is Koum Tara’s second release on the Odradek Records label following on from their critically acclaimed debut album KOUM TARA in 2018. BARAAIM EL-LOUZ releases on October 20th through the innovative Odradek Records label. On BARAAIM EL-LOUZ, the buds are well and truly open. Simply sublime.