Christine Zayed – Kama Kuntu (T-Rec., 2024)
Christine Zayed, a Palestinian-born singer, composer, arranger, and kanun (qanun) master, has captivated audiences with her innovative approach to classical Arabic music. Raised between Jerusalem and Ramallah in a music-loving family, Zayed was immersed from an early age in Arabic classical and contemporary music, as well as the traditional sounds of Palestine.
On Kama Kuntu (“As I Was”), Zayed performs solo or alongside multi-instrumentalist Piers Faccini, flutist Sylvain Barou and other talented musicians. Consequently, she delivers an exquisite repertoire that balances the timeless beauty of Arabic music with a bold, modern sensibility.
Zayed’s music is deeply rooted in maqam, the intricate system of Arabic modal improvisation, and contemporary Palestinian poetry. Markedly, Zayed’s mastery of the kanun, a traditional string instrument, is remarkable for its versatility. She expertly explores its melodic, harmonic, and even percussive dimensions, pairing this with her refined Arabic vocal interpretations to create compositions that gracefully interweave tradition with contemporary influences.
Christine Zayed describes Kama Kuntu as an intimate exploration of her roots, personal history, and its universal appeal. Inspired by the work of Syrian writer Mohammed Al-Maghout, the title reflects her journey of self-definition and connection with others. The album traverses her life, combining her past in Palestine with her present in France, employing music as a bridge between two contrasting worlds. Each track embodies distinct moments, emotions, and influences, with rich instrumentation that celebrates the fusion of classical Arabic music and global genres.
She highlights key pieces, such as “Safartu,” an adaptation of Hussein Al-Barghouti’s poem, which carries the weight of tragic contemporary events, and “Animal,” co-created with Piers Faccini, who she considers family.
The album closes with “Jeudi 16 h 53,” a deeply personal instrumental piece reflecting her birth and survival. Zayed’s kanun, which she calls her “magical box,” anchors the album’s sound and symbolizes her artistic and emotional liberation.
Now based in France, Zayed collaborates across diverse musical projects, including the Ensemble Chakâm and the group Atine under the Accords Croisés label. Her recent work includes composing the soundtrack for the 2023 film Un Jeudi Pour Darwin by Mathieu Baillargeon.
Musicians: Christine Zayed on vocals, kanun; Piers Faccini on vocals, bass, guitar, piano and guimbri; Sogol Mirzaei on tar; Marie-Suzanne de Loye on viola da gamba; Sylvain Barou on bansuri flute; Basel Zayed on baglama, piano; Yousef Zayed on percussion; Marko Djordjovic on accordion; Prabhu Edouard on tabla; and Alexis Paul on barrel organ.
Recorded and mixed by Jean-Charles Versari at Versari Studios – Paris, 2023. Mastered by Peter Maher (Topfloor Productions Ltd).
Illustration and artwork by Randa Mdah. Graphic design and page layout by Raphaëlle Picquet.
Buy Kama Kuntu.
Author: Tyler Bennet
