Farah Kaddour - Bada [Asadun Alay Records 002]

Set for release on March 29th, 2k24 is "Bada", the seven tracks and roughly 39 minutes spanning album debut conceived by Beirut-based buzuq player Farah Kaddour. Having tackled both Folk and Arab Classical throughout her musical journey in which Kaddour participated in various ensembles and band outfits, including a performance ensemble curated by Faust's Hans-Joachim Irmler in 2021, the album sees Farah Kaddour reflect upon the instruments traditional value and history whilst at the same time opening new realms with extended improvisation pieces and own compositions. The result of this musical efforts is a longplay piece providing a sonic arc opening with an intense, meandering and surely in-your-face Desert Rock attitude to be found in the opening tune "Hijazkar Halek" whereas the traditional "Bulbul el-Afrah" provides an insight to the classic rhythmic backings and performance techniques associated with the lute-like instrument, "Madd Ou Jazz" once again brings forth an undeniable, yet this time slighty mediterranean and surely danceable, desert x oriental vibe for hot days under clear skies and a burning hot sun and the closing improvisation named "Khuzama" seemingly once again shines a light on more traditional buzuq playing, yet this time accompanied by a lively and well ecstatic drum foundations just to name a few.