album release: Sheikhs Shikhats & B'net Chaabi

Sheikhs Shikhats & B’net Chaabi

The eponymous debute album by Sheikhs Shikhats & B’net Chaabi, a colorful and exuberant extra large ensemble led by Laïla Amezian. With this group, Laïla pays tribute to the shikhats and ghanayats, singers who fought for freedom of expression in 19th-century Morocco through popular ‘chaabi’ songs.

Line-up

Laïla Amezian, Emanuela Lodato, Farida Zouj, Marie-Ange Teuwen & Fatou Traoré: vocals

B’net Chaabi - Jamila Akhdim, Karima Arabi, Kawtar Abdoune & Mehdiya Sultana: vocals & percussion

Laurent Blondiau & Jean-Paul Estiévenart: trumpets

Toine Thys & Grègoire Tirtiaux: saxophones

Michel Massot, Nabou Claerhout & Adrien Lambinet: tuba, trombones

Jean Gnonlonfoun: drums

Ahmed Khaili: percussion

Guest musician - Olivier Thomas: vocals

Recorded by Vincent De Bast at Jet studio & MetX, Brussels - Mixed & mastered by Vincent De Bast at SonarStudios, Pecq. Released by Zephyrus Records (2023)

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