Mohannad Nasser - Al Hamra

Al Hamra is a musical journey that started at the moment I left Syria. The name of the album reflects a hidden intersection between two places that influenced me: Al Hamra street in Beirut, Lebanon, The symbol of pluralism and diversity, and Al Hamra castle in Granada, Spain, which is one of the most magnificent representations of the arabic cultural influence in Spain and Europe.

The music is based on three main musical directions, The Arabic music, expressed by the Oud, the Arabic lyrics and traditional music elements. The flamenco music brought by the grand flutist Jorge Pardo, the distinguished name in the flamenco scene, and the percussionist Sergio Martinez who twists the flamenco with groovy vibes, The Jazz music, introduced by the delicate pianist Albert Sanz through his rich harmonics, and the unique double bassist Masa Kamaguchi. 

1. Al Hamra 05:39

2. Sacromonte 05:09

3. Schengen 06:28

4. Moonless Night 06:44

5. Sonbati 06:19

6. Dabke in Jaffa 05:04

7. Ajebto Menka 06:20

8. Badwen Jazz 03:27

9. Huzzam Taksim 03:36

Mohannad Nasser: Oud & Voice & Composition

Jorge Pardo: Flute

Albert Sanz: Piano & Keys

Sergio Martinez: Percussion

Masa Kamaguchi: Double Bass

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Rolf Zielke - Beaches In Your Soul (April 16, 2021 Agogo Records)

“… and if you close your eyes,

a river fills you from within,

flows forward, darkens you:

night brings its wetness to beaches in your soul.”

From ‘Water Night’ by Octavio Paz

“For me, these special moments when we close our eyes and look inwards are intense experiences. Between sleep and wakefulness, such impressions inspired me to translate images from daydreams into music. Jazz and Funk, Arabic and Central Asian sounds and grooves, and above all, improvisation – these are my musical language. Thank you to the wonderful musicians who have brought these compositions to life!”

Rolf Zielke

“‘Beaches in Your Soul’ is an album that is both great fun and full of depth as it conveys an incredible, life-affirming energy. Rolf Zielke describes his music as “daydreams and visions of the future that become sounds.” There is no doubt that this album is an impressive demonstration of his outstanding abilities as a composer, arranger and pianist, as well as his important role in European jazz.”

Matthias Wegner, music journalist

1. Awakening

2. Night Sea Journey

3. Welcome The Shaman

4. Eyes Of Shadow Water

5. Okavango Serenade

6. Getting Up

7. Dragon, Lion & Cancer

8. Enta Omri - You Are My Life

9. Chagall's Windows

All titles composed, arranged and produced by Rolf Zielke. except „Enta Omri - You Are My Life“ - traditional arabic song, arranged by Rolf Zielke

Rolf Zielke – piano, clavichord, rhodes, keys, whistle

Benny Brown – trumpet, flugelhorn

Stephan Abel – saxophone, clarinet, alto flute

Stephan Braun – 5-string cello

Mohannad Nasser – oud

Mustafa Boztüy – darbuka, bendir, udu

Rainer Winch – drums

Friedhelm May – timpani

Recorded, mixed & edited by Volker Greve at Greve Studios and Rolf Zielke

Additional clavichord recordings at tonus arcus, Dietrich Petzold

Mastered by Hans-Jörg Mauksch at Pauler Acoustics

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