CD Review: Alsarah & And The Nubatones' 'Manara'

Alsarah And The Nubatones
Manara
Wonderwheel Recordings

Alsarah's latest wanderings through the Middle East and North Africa are appropriately-displayed on their latest recording, Manara. The recording is alive with dancing ouds, throbbing ngonis, punchy trumpet, bubbling bass, and great percussion. The rather contemporary recording contains a good mix of melodies and tones. There is a slight electronic element to some of the songs, but this is not an electronic album. It is pure world music with influences reaching across the Middle East. The Arabic vocals and rollicking percussion are very dance-friendly. In fact, it is difficult to sit still while listening to anything from Alsarah And The Nubatones. For Manara, this is especially so. Fans of a variety of Arabic-infused recordings will love Alsarah And The Nubatones! ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Alsarah and The Nubatones' 'Silt'

Alsarah and The Nubatones
Silt
Wonderwheel Recordings

Born in Sudan, Alsarah, has made Yemen and the United States of America home. Currently residing in Brooklyn, NY, Alsarah and her Nubatones bring to life a nostalgic East African pop with Middle Eastern and Arabic percussion and dance effects. The music is steeped in traditional oud and percussion, but it also includes a contemporary repertoire of bass, keyboards, assorted percussion, and additional vocals. The swirling rhythms and sounds of "Nuba Noutou" are especially entrancing with great vocals and a 'nubian' beat. There are eleven tracks that infuse a sense of exotica (at least from a Western point of view), which encapsulates the ethnomusicological work Alsarah has completed. No, the music is not convoluted or highly-contrived; instead, Alsarah and The Nubatones let go and create contemplative, danceable, and energetic works based on similar modes that have been played for hundreds of years. Hear the sounds of East Africa in a new light with Alsarah and her Nubatones as your guide. ~ Matthew Forss