Release Date: 29 April 2022
Label: ECM
Packaging Type: Jewel Case
No of Units: 1
Barcode: 602445375943
Genres: Jazz  World Music  
Release Date: 29 April 2022
Label: ECM
Packaging Type: Jewel Case
No of Units: 1
Barcode: 602445375943
Genres: Jazz  World Music  
Description
Siwan, the transcultural, trans-idiomatic musical collective led by Norwegian keyboardist/composer Jon Balke, continues along its special path, with new music inspired by the creative spirit of Al-Andalus.
The ensemble weaves lines of communication between musicians from multiple traditions and locations. Among the texts set by Balke on Siwan's third album and persuasively sung by Algerian vocalist Mona Boutchebak are verses by Ummayad princess Wallada bint al-Mustakfi (1010-1091) and contemporaries including Ibn Zaydun (1003-1071) and Ibn Sara As-Santarini (1043-1123).
Hafla was recorded in May and June 2021 at Village Recording Studios, in Copenhagen.
Jon Balke: keyboards, electronics, tombak
Mona Boutchebak: vocals, quitra
Derya Turkan: kemençe
Bjarte Eike: Baroque violin
Helge Norbakken: percussion
Pedram Khavar Zamini: tombak
Per Buhre: vocals, viola
Press:
"The appeal of Siwan for listeners is not just the innovative mix of Western and Arabic instruments, but also the beauty of the voice in most of the songs, sung in the band's latest incarnation, by Algerian singer Mona Boutchebak...There is much to enjoy on Hafla making it an album that deserves repeated play." - LondonJazzNews
Tracklisting
Norma Winstone & Kit Downes
Oded Tzur
Kenny Wheeler, Lee Konitz, Dave Holland & Bill Frisell
Fred Hersch
John Taylor, Norma Winstone & Kenny Wheeler
Keith Jarrett & Jan Garbarek
Jan Garbarek Quartet
John Surman
Jon Balke & Siwan