One of 21st century’s most fascinating music comes from the electronic producers from the Middle and North Africa.
Here’s our round-up of just some of many fascinating producers of this fertile region, collected by the beehype correspondents and brought to us by the bands themselves.
Listen to all of this music in our Soundcloud playlist.
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Zaed Naes
Jordan
Acclaimed Jordanian trio Za’ed Na’es continue to deliver some of the most exciting electronic music in the region as well as collaborations with talented singers. The song starts minimal, but grows quickly layer after layer until a high-frequency climax. “Mashoftesh” delights both with the toned-down parts and when Aya climbs an octave above the verses level, while Za’ed Na’es vibrate around her with their electronic textures.
Info: Soundcloud, YouTube, Facebook.
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Emel Mathlouthi x Ash Koosha
Tunisia / Iran
Emel Mathlouthi is one of our very favourite artists from the Middle East / North Africa region, surprising us with almost every single work published by this Tunisian artist. That’s also true about her latest release, “Ensenity”. It includes 9 reworks of her music by talented producers from various countries. Iranian-born, London-based Ash Koosha gave us a fantastic version of “Kaddesh”, but it’s just one of many highlights of the whole album.
Info: Soundcloud, Facebook, Twitter, www.
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Rayess Bek
Lebanon
Based in Beirut, Lebanon, Rayess Bek has been touring around the world from Paris to Tokyo presenting his very own, sometimes unbelievable, mix of instrumental hip-hop, electronic equipment and Arabic music. “Emta ha Taaraf” is the opening track of Rayess Bek’s (real name Wael Koudaih) latest EP called “Love and Revenge“. For this particular track, the producer decided to re-make a classic song even sampling its original author. Try to guess the name yourself.
Info: Soundcloud, Twitter, Facebook, www.
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Epi
Tunisia
Epi’s combining machine sounds with samples of Tunisian tradition both old and new. A good example of that is his take on “Pour Quelques Dinars De Plus” by Imed Alibi (read our short interview about this song). “Khodavanda” is a perfect example of how Khalil avoids the obvious in his music, both genre- and feeling-wise. Is it future-oriented exploration or is it just digging in the past? Does the main theme sooth your nerves or rather comes back to haunt you? There are no right answers, and that’s what will make you keep Epi’s music on repeat.
Info: Soundcloud, Facebook.
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Hello Psychaleppo
Syria
Working under the moniker of Hello Psychaleppo, Syrian artist Samer Saem Eldahr’s down-tempo, tarab-laced productions continue to ooze with originality and Arabic textures. In one his best tracks yet, “Beirut”, we enter into an echoing Arabic vocal line overtop increasing layers of melodramatic synth lines, only to find ourselves deep within microtonal melodies and some awesomely grimy bass-beats.
Info: Soundcloud, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, www.
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Muzdawaj (مزدوج)
Jordan
Progressive house meets Arabic music in the captivating new single from upcoming Jordanian producer and writer Muzdawaj. The Amman-based producer and singer’s latest single, “Ali Bali”, is probably his best yet. With a fresh, full-fledged sound, catchy vocal lines (and eerie reverbs), and an irresistible groove in the background, the song will make you regret it ends just after 5 minutes. Play it again?
Info: Facebook, Soundcloud.
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Aya Metwalli
Egypt
“Lugere” is one of her more abstract tracks, one which might leave you completely hypnotized after its five minutes – although it might seem it’s been at least a quarter. With its erroneous beat and wistful vocals drowned in heavy echoes, it’s certainly one of the most immersive songs.
Info: Facebook, Twitter, Soundcloud.
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Fadi Tabbal
Lebanon
Fadi Tabbal is a Lebanese producer and sound engineer, educated in Canada, but based in Beirut since mid-2000s. Under his own name, he creates experimental music ranging from ambient to psychedelia with a very strong aura.
Info: Soundcloud, www.
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Arabs With Synthesizers
Jordan
Based in Amman, Jordan, Arabs With Synthesizers are carving a sonic space out for themselves on SoundCloud with several releases including original productions, mixtapes, and remixes. They strictly avoid the presence of digital instruments in the studio, instead opting for analogue synths: Roland Tr-8, Nobation BassStation II, Nord Stage 2, and the Korg Poly 800. The Korg Poly 800 adds a special 80s texture to their production as it a discontinued machine used frequently in the 80s.
Info: Soundcloud, Facebook.
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Siavash Amini
Iran
Continuing his experiments combining elements of drone and modern classical music… Tehran based composer Siavash Amini`s 4th solo LP “TAR” explores the fragile tensions between an individual and a collective subconscious.
Info: Soundcloud, Facebook.
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Zone+ & Usif
Bahrain
It is more than clear that this Bahraini electronic duo Zone+ & Usif, share the affinity towards moody, reverb-rich soundscapes and this over 8-minute piece is a perfect example of that. Samples of Arabic chant and acoustic instruments make it the whole track a rich, versatile experience.
Info: Soundcloud, Facebook.
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Soopar Lox
Egypt
Egyptian electronic band, Soopar Lox released their synth-laced album, “Semsesizer”, with rhythm, textures and Arabic/English vocals that evoke a sun kissed beach somewhere in the Red Sea. After attending many of their invigorating shows live, it’s exciting to see the band recording and releasing their work (and for free!) while finding a unique identity within the wide spectrum of electronic music from the region. Check out the track “Sunrise”, and if you ever get the opportunity to hear them live: Go, dance, enjoy!
Info: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, www.
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Zahed Sultan
Kuwait
In both of his albums there are references to mobility and heartbreak, but “eyemsound” becomes a politically charged discussion as heard in tracks like “Democrazy” and “Bedoon”. The latter creates a visceral interpretation of the sobering stories of the traditionally nomadic, Bedouin life. Lyrically, the track is somber and surreal, which is then highlighted by the dubby bassline, percussive bursts, and the jangling “sik sik” of finger cymbals common to Arabic music.
Info: Soundcloud, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, www.
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PanSTARRS (بان ستارز)
Egypt
Egyptian musician Youssef Abouzeid has released his third EP under the PanSTARRS (بان ستارز) moniker with a dark, droned out alt-rock soundscape that is both eerie and captivating. The post-rock, ambient undertones of the “Ghaby Ghaby Ghaby” (غبي غبي غبي) EP give the overall PanSTARRS sounds a more sophisticated direction, while still maintaining the sonic identity of Abouzeid’s preceding body of work. While you can stream the album in its entirety on Soundcloud, here’s the opening track, “Khally Balak Hatmoot”, or “Be Careful You’ll Die”:
Info: Soundcloud, Bandcamp, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook.
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Ata ‘Sote’ Ebtekar
Iran
Ata Ebtekar, known by his stage name Sote, a prominent electronic musician, tries to produce a genuine fusion of Iranian traditional music and electronic music. Unusual colour and complex microtonality found in the classical music of Iran / blurts of noise, sour tones, and a vaguely technoid or dubwise impression expose the inner rhythm and counterpoint embedded in this strummed music / emotional, mathematical and polyrhythmic principles underpinning Persian music, the record reveals a dramatic blend of acoustic Persian instrumentation and contemporary electronics.
Info: Soundcloud, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, www.
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