Swaken: Coloured Vinyl LP

Label: Real World
Release Date: 10th May

The killer grooves, those Gnawa blues that root this Morrocan-French band that build to go all out psych rock, with moments of drone that then kick into a delicious disco that make this band so exciting. I played their debut 'Nayda' to death and cannot wait for the follow-up.

For those who dig: GOAT, Mdou Moctar, Les Filles de Illighadad, Electric Jalaba, Tinariwen...

Swaken is the second album by Moroccan-French power quartet Bab L’ Bluz and the follow up to their critically acclaimed debut ‘Nayda!’ The album was recorded at Real World Studios and built on the song-writing, arrangements and production prowess of band members Yousra Mansour and Brice Bottin.

‘Swaken’, in Darija meaning ‘possession,’ evolves to describe spirits haunting humans. Sometimes associated with a transcendent musical experience, it implies a deep connection with music, surpassing simple ‘trance’ with highly agitated body movements. In Chaabi music, Swaken goes beyond our dimension, potentially leading to the loss of control over the body and mind, delving into a depth similar to the Lilas of the Gnaoua (a ceremony of song, music, dance, costume and incense that takes place over the course of an entire night ending at dawn).

“Beyond mere ‘possession,’ we wanted to use this term Swaken to emphasize the obsession with ideas, values, and principles, expressing a determination to combat injustices, even challenging customs and traditions.”

Musically forthright, Swaken takes the blueprint forged on Nayda! and expands it to deliver eleven powerful slices of psychedelic Gnawa blues, full of intelligence, emotion and visceral energy.