Ensemble Roudaniyat - Al-Hal [CD]

This is a collection of religious songs from the city of Taroudannt, which is situated in the Souss valley, Morocco. Although Taroudannt lies in an area where Berber (Tachelhit) is spoken, essentially it is an Arab city, most of its inhabitants are bilingual, speaking both Berber and Arabic. Taroudannt has managed to preserve its traditional character and is one of the few cities where the musical infrastructure has survived virtually intact. The women of Taroudannt, the Roudaniât, have found their place in the Roudani musical world, outside the red walls of the ancient city many groups of female singers/percussionists pay regular visits and sing songs of praise or supplication, as determined by the marabout (places where Islamic martyrs lie buried) and the time of year. Whatever the historical and social context of the Taroudannt women’s songs the immediacy of their expression touches our hearts and their polyrhythmics never cease to amaze us. Tracks: Al Hal / Mulaya Ali / Ar Rizq / Al Ali / Al Ghurba / Al Barra / Kalam Harr / Al Firaq / Al Madad / Shufu Halti / Al Habib, Illi Wala’u Qalbi / Az Zahr / Ajibni Aynayhi / Myur Kdarni / Rwah Dar