Formed in 2012, Alif is an ensemble comprised of five musicians coming from Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon, and Palestine. After an extensive period of touring, the group started working on “Aynama-Rtama”, their debut album to be released in early September.

“Holako (Hulagu)” is the first single off the album. It’s an upbeat song led by oud and buzuq, with a strong vocal melody, backed by ambient keys and groovy rhythms. The words are taken from a poem by an Iraqi-Assyrian poet and writer, Sargon Boulus.

The band members are: Khyam Allami (oud), Tamer Abu Ghazaleh (vocals/buzuq), Bashar Farran (bass), Maurice Louca (keys/electronics) and Khaled Yassine (drums/percussion).

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