Boston-based world-dub-jazz collective Club d’Elf have released “Zeed Al Maal,” the third single and video from its upcoming double album, “You Never Know”, scheduled for release April 1. A folk song from the Gnawa musical tradition, it was taught to Club d’Elf’s founding member Mike Rivard by the legendary Moroccan musician Maalem Mahmoud Gania during a trip to Essaouira, Morocco several years back.
Rivard would later share the song with his band, and ultimately record it during the sessions for what would become Club d’Elf’s third studio album. Casablanca native and longtime Club d’Elf member Brahim Fribgane sings and plays ud while Rivard plays the guembri (also known as sintir), a three-string bass lute.
Club d’Elf’s new album “You Never Know” presents a fusion of jazz, Gnawa and other North African traditional music influences refracted through a prism of contemporary psychedelia.
Rivard’s collaborators include Dean Johnston on drums; J Mister Rourke on turntables; Paul Schultheis and John Medeski on vintage analog keyboards; Casablanca-native Brahim Fribgane on ud, vocals and percussion; and guitarists Duke Levine, David Fiuczynski and Kevin Barry.
Club d’Elf will play seven Northeast shows in April to celebrate You Never Know’s release.
Tour Dates:
4/1 – Woodstock, NY – Levon Helm Studios
4/2 – New York, NY – Drom
4/8 – Portland, ME – Bayside Bowl
4/9 – Providence, RI – Columbus Theater
4/10 – Portsmouth, NH – The Music Hall
4/14 – Northampton, MA – Bombyx
4/15 – Pembroke, MA – Soundcheck Studios
(headline image: Club d’Elf – Photo by Mark Wilson)
Author: World Music Central News Room
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