Bleep

Amazing new CD boxset from those premier sonic archaeologists, Dust To Digital. Music of Morocco: Recorded by Paul Bowles, 1959 is a thirty track anthology picked from the Library of Congress’ archives, documenting the trip ethnomusicologist Paul Bowles took across Morocco in 1959 making recordings of traditional music under the auspices of the LoC. Although the trip occupied less than six months in a long and busy career, it was the culmination of Bowles’s longstanding interest in North African music. This haunting collection remained a musical touchstone for the rest of his life and an important part of his mythology. As suits this luxuriant music, the CDs in silkscreened box with 120-page, leatherette book, featuring extensive liner notes by Philip Schuyler. Field notes by Paul Bowles. Introduction by Sonic Youth’er, Lee Ranaldo. Box set includes download/streaming code.

####Tracklist

Disc 1: Highlands — The Berbers Part 1

1. Maallem Ahmed and ensemble – Ahmeilou (Tafraout)
2. Rais Ahmed ben Bakrim – El Baz Ouichen Song for Male Voice (Tiznit)
3. Moqaddem Mohammed ben Salem and ensemble – Third Sqel (Zagora)
4. Moqaddem Mohammed ben Salem and ensemble – Second Aqlal (Zagora)
5. Chikh Ayyad ou Haddou and ensemble – Ouakha dial Kheir Women’s Chorus (Tahala)
6. Chikh Ayyad ou Haddou and ensemble – Aili ya Mali Mixed Chorus (Tahala)
7. Maallem Ahmed and ensemble – Aouache Men’s Chorus (Tafraout)

Disc 2: Highlands — The Berbers Part 2

1. Rais Mahamad ben Mohammed and ensemble – Aouada Trio (Tamanar)
2. Rais Mahamad ben Mohammed and ensemble – Chorus and Dance (Tamanar)
3. Chikh Hamed bel Hadj Hamadi ben Allal and ensemble – Reh dial Beni Bouhiya Qsbah Solo (Segangan)
4. Various – Sounds of General Rejoicing (Ait Ourir)
5. Maallem Ahmed Gacha and ensemble – Albazaoua Women’s Chorus (Ait Ourir)
6. Chikha Fatoma bent Kaddour – Mouwal and Izlan (Ain Diab)
7. Cheikha Haddouj bent Fatma Rohou and ensemble – Qim Rhori (Khenifra)
8. Mohammed bel Hassan and ensemble – Qsida dial Malik (Ait Mohammed)

Disc 3: Lowlands — Influent Strains Part 1

1. El Ferqa dial Guedra (Bechara) – Ounalou Biha Rajao Male Solo with Women’s Chorus (Goulimine)
2. Maalem Abdeslam Sarsi el Mahet – Aiyowa d’Moulay Abdeslam Rhaita Solo (Arcila)
3. Sadiq ben Mohammed Laghzaoui Morsan and ensemble – Rhaitas and Tbola (Einzoren)
4. Embarek ben Mohammed – Mellaliya Song for Male Voice (Marrakech)
5. Maalem Mohammed Rhiata and ensemble, from the region of Taounate – Taqtoqa Jabaliya (Fez)
6. An unidentified ensemble – Gnaoua Chorus (Essaouira)
7. Si Mohammed Bel Hassan Soudani – Gnaoui Solo Song (Marrakech)
8. Si Mohammed Bel Hassan Soudani – Fulani Iresa (Marrakech)
9. Maallem Taieb ben Mbarek and chikhats – Hadouk Khail (Marrakech)

Disc 4: Lowlands — Influent Strains Part 2

1. Hazan Isaac Ouanounou and members of the Hevrat Gezekel – Ya Souki hakim Secular Sephardic Song (Meknes)
2. Hazan Semtob Knafo and Amram Castiel. Hevrat David Hamelekh – Chalom Lakha Chébii “Peace on the Seventh Day” (Essaouira)
3. Maalem el Hocein and ensemble – Qsida Midh (Meknes)
4. Abdelkrim Rais and ensemble – El hgaz el Mcharqi Andaluz Chorus (Fez)
5. Members of the Family of the Chorfa of Ouezzane – Andaluz Music of Ouezzane (Ouezzane)
6. Early Morning Calls to Prayer – El Fjer (Tangier)