Ensemble Al-Kindi & Sheikh Hamed Daoud – Sufi Trance of the Whirling Dervishes of Damascus (Buda Musique, 2023)
Ensemble Al-Kindi and vocalist Ensemble Al-Kindi treat the listener to the spellbinding, timeless and deeply graceful Sufi music of the whirling dervishes on their new album, “Sufi Trance of the Whirling Dervishes of Damascus.”
The pieces on the album include ‘Azaan’ (call to prayer),’ Al Nouba’ (instrumental and vocal suite of Arab-Andalusian tradition known as nuba), ‘Wasla Hijaz’ (instrumental and vocal suite in Hijaz mode), ‘Wasla Huzan’ (instrumental and vocal suite in Huzan mode), and ‘Wasla Rast’ (instrumental and vocal suite in Rast mode).
In 1983, the Al-Kindi instrumental ensemble was established by the French musicologist and qanun master, Julien Jâlal Eddine Weiss, who, tragically, passed away in 2015. The group’s members hail from diverse regions, including Damascus, Aleppo, and Alexandria, and together they have gained a reputation as one of the most exceptional musical ensembles, praised for their unwavering commitment to the Arab classical repertoire and their technical virtuosity.
For over three decades, the Al-Kindi Ensemble has devoted themselves to exploring the breadth and depth of Arab classical music and culture, with the goal of promoting a message of peaceful coexistence between nations. Much like their counterparts in the Western classical music tradition, the Al-Kindi Ensemble has collaborated with some of the finest vocalists and instrumentalists from Syria, Iraq, and Turkey. Together, they have graced the world’s most illustrious stages, including Carnegie Hall in New York, the Théâtre de la Ville in Paris, the Arab World Institute, the Sacred Music Festival in Fez, and the Baalbeck Festival.
Although the war in Syria has forced many members of the ensemble into exile and significantly affected their activities, the Al-Kindi Ensemble has persevered. They have relocated to new territories and welcomed new members, such as the talented qanun player Khadija El-Afritt, all while remaining steadfast in their dedication to preserving and sharing the richness and universality of Arab classical music.
Sheikh Hamed Daoud on vocals; musical director Adel Shams El Din on riqq; Ziad Kadi Amin on ney; Mohamed Qadri Dalal on oud; Khadija El-Afritt on qanun; Diaa Daoud on vocals (Munshid); Mohamed Husam Takrori on vocals (Munshid); Hatem Al-Jamal, dervish; Azan Al Jamal, dervish.
Buy Sufi Trance of the Whirling Dervishes of Damascus.
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.