Halua

The whole is greater than the sum of its parts – a proverb which definitely holds true for this colourful and energetic EP, coming straight from the island of Lamu, Kenya. Recorded during the pandemic in 2021 at the iconic Lamu House, this record brilliantly reveals how music can transcend borders between cultures, genres and even musical epochs. At its core lies Taarab music native to the Swahili coast, which in itself is a heritage from times when the area was under Omani protectorate. An Noor is a Taarab band from Lamu who root in tradition and bring the past into the present: Their Tabla drums remind us of days where Arabic influences were formative, their mesmerizing vocals tell stories of love and pain, as relevant today as they were then. Their sound is complimented by Makadem, composer and player of traditional Kenyan instruments such as the Nyatiti harp. Makadem himself is no stranger to fusing ancient and modern musical schools and has reached international recognition for his crossover arrangements. On Into Taarab, producers Max Doblhoff and Sidney Simila (Clubcruise Music, Music From East Africa) frame the magic of these Lamu sessions in club-friendly edits, dreamy and driving, and always carrying the Clubcruise signature sound that feeds both body and soul.