Tunes from the dunes

>> Old meets new at the 9th Festival of Maghrebi Music

By RUPERT BOTTENBERG

 Funny to have to factor the miserable cold into plans for an exploration of musical arts from Africa's sunbleached northwest coast, isn't it? Still, we ought to thank the folks at Nuits D'Afrique for changing the structure of their Festival of Maghrebi Music, minimizing concertgoers' exposure to our national nemesis Jack Frost, if not to the possibilities offered by Moroccan and Algerian music.

 An annual, multi-night event since '91, the festival has this year been compacted into a single evening--and nothing's been lost in the translation.

 On that note, translation is a major factor for El Hadi, eponymous band of Marrakech native Hassan El Hadi. A multi-instrumentalist with a preference for the oud (the Arabic lute), El Hadi surrounds himself with artists from here in Quebec, filtering his Berber and Andalusian inclinations through jazzy, new world sax, bass and electric guitar.

 The same instruments will be on hand when relocated Algerians Azal hit the stage, delivering their "modernized Berber music." Then again, so will a mandolin, a darbouka and a bendir. (Man, I was off on the worst bendir last Friday, but further details probably have legal ramifications.)

 Not one to miss out on the fusionist fun, Nazir Bouchareb has recombobulated his group Les Nomades into Salaam, incorporating non-Moroccan musicians, such as Trinidadian percussionist Glenn Clark.

 Tipping the scale in favour of the deep traditions of the region, the 22-member troupe Beni Ameur (no connection to Benny and the Jets) will "represent" in an "old-school style." Decked out in traditional garb and busting dance rituals from every corner of Algeria, this walkin', rockin' way-back machine bring history to life, and nail down a well-rounded night of sounds from the Maghreb. :

 

At Kola Note on Saturday, January 29, 8pm, $15