Bab L’ Bluz is a musical group consisting of four members of Moroccan-French origin. The quartet was formed in 2018 with the intention of paying tribute to the Gnawa culture, with the Arabic term “Bab” meaning “gate.” The group’s lead vocalist, composer and guembri player, Yousra Mansour, hails from Morocco, while her co-founder, Brice Bottin, is a French producer, composer and multi-instrumentalist. The two artists honed their skills on the guembri, a three-stringed instrument, while exploring its possibilities as they composed in their studio in Marrakech.
The creative output resulting from this collaboration is displayed on the group’s debut album, “Nayda!” Brice comments on the challenge of composing with such a limited instrument, stating that it was an opportunity to explore various styles, scales, and textures. This led Bab L’ Bluz to play original material that combines different styles.
Yousra, who grew up in El Jadida, a fortified town on Morocco’s Atlantic coast, was exposed to a diverse range of musical styles, including those of Janis Joplin, Oumou Sangaré, and Erykah Badu. She also attended the annual Gnawa Festival in nearby Essawira and fell in love with the trance grooves of Gnawa music.
Young Yousra was raised by a strong, widowed mother, who was a science teacher and inspired her daughter to follow her dreams. Despite resistance at first, Yousra persisted in singing Gnawa-style music with friends and at home. However, she notes that injustice persists everywhere, with corruption, racism, and poverty, as well as notions of visas and borders, which continue to affect society. For this reason, Yousra and her bandmates believe that art can be used to open minds and change mentalities.
Yousra mainly writes in Moroccan Darija and tackles current subjects and societal issues in her lyrics. The meaning of her writing can be easily understood, despite its subtle nature.
Musicians on “Nayda!“: Yousra Mansour on awisha, guembri (guitar sound), guembri (bass sound) , lead vocals, percussion; Brice Bottin on guembri (bass sound), guitar, percussion, backing vocals; Hafid Zouaoui on drums, sampling pad, backing vocals; and Jérome Bartholomé on percussion, flute, karkabas, backing vocals.
Guests: Aziz Ozouss on ribab; and Mehdi Nassouli on vocals.
Discography:
Nayda! (Real World Records, 2020)
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.