Al Andaluz Project – The Songs of Iman Kandoussi – Traditional Arabic Andalusian (Galileo Music Communication, 2024)
The Songs of Iman Kandoussi presents the Arab-Andalusian repertoire of the Al Andaluz Project, a group dedicated to preserving the multicultural legacy of medieval Al-Andalus. Formed in 2005 after members of the German ensemble Estampie attended a performance by Spanish band Aman Aman during Munich’s Jewish Culture Days, the group aims to revive the intertwined traditions of Jewish-Sephardic, Christian, and Arab-Andalusian music.
Between 2006 and 2013, Al Andaluz Project released four studio albums, a live recording, and performed widely across Europe. Central to their work are remarkable, emotive vocalists Sigrid Hausen (Germany), Mara Aranda (Spain), and Iman Kandoussi (Morocco), each representing one of the three cultural traditions. The latest release, The Songs of Iman Kandoussi, highlights the dazzling Moroccan singer’s contributions and focuses on the rich Arab-Andalusian musical heritage.
The influence of Al-Andalus, once a flourishing cultural hub under Moorish rule, shaped North Africa’s Maghreb region’s musical identity after the fall of the last Islamic kingdom in Spain. This compilation draws from a tradition that spans centuries, rooted in the Umayyad Caliphate of Córdoba’s golden era. It includes exquisite pieces tied to the poetic kharjas, multilingual compositions discovered in the mid-20th century that illustrate the region’s cultural interweaving.
The vocalists are accompanied by extraordinary virtuoso musicians from Morocco, Spain, and Germany who deliver stellar solo and ensemble performances.
Musicians: Mara Aranda on vocals; Johann Bengen on percussion; Sascha Gotowtschikow on percussion; Sigrid Hausen on vocals, recorder; Iman Kandoussi on vocals; Diego López on percussion; Efrén López on oud, saz, rebab, hurdy-gurdy; Jota Martínez on hurdy-gurdy, citole, lavta, percussion; Michael Popp on oud, saz, fiddle, tar, dilruba, lafta, vocals; Juan Manuel Rubio Moral on santur, oud, saz; Aziz Samsaoui on qanun, violin, oud, cura, percussion; Jürgen Schneider on percussion; Ernst Schwindl on hurdy-gurdy, nyckelharpa, portative organ (medieval organ), harmonium.
Cover Artwork by Monika Carina
Track list
- Segunda Twichia Nuba Garibat El Hussein – Insiraf Btahyi Garibat El Hussein 05:59
- Chamsse Lachia (nuba kudam al-maya) 04:43
- Des oge mais quer´ eu trobar – Yo me levantaria – Insiraf Btahyi Garibat El 05:50
Hussein - Nawba Raml Maya, Ritmo Btayhi (Arab-Andalusí) 02:20
- Arracha Lfatan (nuba garnati) 03:41
- Mina Nawa (Maalouf Tunecino) 03:27
- Intro Instrumental Samai Higaz 02:56
- Afdihi Dabian Ibtassam (Moaxaja Árabe, Maqam Hijaz Kar) 04:18
- Amors mard / Arafto Lhawa Mod Arafto Hawak (Trovador anónimo / Rabiaa Al 06:01
Adawia) - Hijaz 04:32
- Segunda Twichia Istihlal – Insiraf Btayhi Istihlal: Gaybatuk 05:20
- Al-Garnati – El Bulbul 05:53
- Quen a omagen da Virgen 06:01
- Un castel / Improvisation Iman (Traditional Occitan) 06:13
- Dezilde a mi amor 06:19
- Amoulati (Traditional from Tetuán) 03:57
Buy The Songs of Iman Kandoussi
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.