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Poll: Which Song?
Ibrahim Maalouf- Capitals
60%
 60%  [6]
Big Special- Dig!
40%
 40%  [4]
Total Votes : 10

cestuneblague
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  • Posted: 02/07/2025 22:25
  • Post subject: CLOSED2024 BST: Capitals v Dig
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Ibrahim Malouff- Capitals


Link



Repping: Paris

Ponymaster: Hayden



V



Big Special- Dig!


Link



Repping: United Kingdom

Ponymaster: EyeKanFly


Last edited by cestuneblague on 02/14/2025 18:59; edited 1 time in total
Hayden

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  • Posted: 02/08/2025 00:55
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I'm going with my nom, but the Big Special track is really interesting. I'm surprised I hadn't heard of that record before seeing it here. The sound on it is huge, yet it really comes across as a raw post-punk garage-band. I enjoyed it, and I'm looking forward to listening to the whole album.


Capitals is a colossal big band take on Arabic jazz. Fierily bombastic and fun. So glad the music video is a street party, wouldn't have done it any other way. Good luck not playing it loud. Even better luck not moving your feet. Energy is a straight up 11.
travelful
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  • Posted: 02/09/2025 15:06
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Damn two more excellent discoveries. Never heard of either of these bands but love both singles. Going with Capitals here but intend to check out both albums.
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II voted for Capitals because II've never skipped it once, while II couldn't help but skip DiG all the time because of the spoken-word slacker vocals, although it probably has a nice buildup and good musical production.

It's the first time II got into Arabic Jazz. "Capitals" is particularly quite simple melodically, yet also consonant, catchy and accessible, just like Cowboy Bebop's soundtrack, so if you like that soundtrack, you'll like Capitals.
One of my favorite entries so far ?
cestuneblague
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  • Posted: 02/11/2025 23:44
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BUMP
Hayden

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II wrote:
It's the first time II got into Arabic Jazz. "Capitals" is particularly quite simple melodically, yet also consonant, catchy and accessible, just like Cowboy Bebop's soundtrack, so if you like that soundtrack, you'll like Capitals.
One of my favorite entries so far ?


Never thought of it that way, but I understand (and appreciate) the comparison. What the Seatbelts did in the 90s (long past the heyday of jazz) to put a fresh coat of paint on the genre is surely what segued to the strengths of today's current scene. Although it's been around for decades and decades, Arabic jazz is having a really solid past few years (including Malouff's latest). If you're looking to find some hipper/fresher stuff out of the scene, I'd recommend these—


La Saboteuse by Yazz Ahmed
Yazz is a British-Bahraini musician who I've really enjoyed the past few years (can't believe this record came out nearly 8 years ago!). Unfortunately, she hasn't released anything this decade so far, but I'm hoping something's around the bend. Her 2019 record is also excellent.


Elephantine by Maurice Louca
Maurice Louca (Egypt) is one of the most exciting names in the world of jazz right now too (if you've heard of The Dwarfs of East Agouza, he's part of that group). A little more avant-garde, but certainly an exciting artist in the scene. His recent record Moonshine is also excellent. (He's also been part of more folk-inspired works like Lefhfa, and more experimental groups like Karkhana).


Jarak Qaribak by Jonny Greenwood / Dudu Tassa
Greenwood and Tassa's jazz-pop fusion. Really accessible with excellent musicianship.


Aalbat Alawi Op​.​99 by القات [El Khat]
El Khat (Israel/Yemen) leans more traditional Arabic than 'jazz' per se, but what a band. Three excellent records from them so far, and probably the 'punchiest' of the selection here.


Not to mention whatever Habibi Funk (who, you should all be keeping tabs on) has dug up the last few years—


The King Of Sudanese Jazz by شرحبي...bil Ahmed]


Jazz, Jazz, Jazz by فرقة العقا... Abu Bakr]

I hope it builds to a bigger scene. Plenty of potential.
LedZep

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travelful wrote:
Damn two more excellent discoveries. Never heard of either of these bands but love both singles. Going with Capitals here but intend to check out both albums.

Seconded. Think I'm voting DiG! Both deserve a special shoutout, great nominations.
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Hayden wrote:
II wrote:
It's the first time II got into Arabic Jazz. "Capitals" is particularly quite simple melodically, yet also consonant, catchy and accessible, just like Cowboy Bebop's soundtrack, so if you like that soundtrack, you'll like Capitals.
One of my favorite entries so far ?


Never thought of it that way, but I understand (and appreciate) the comparison. What the Seatbelts did in the 90s (long past the heyday of jazz) to put a fresh coat of paint on the genre is surely what segued to the strengths of today's current scene. Although it's been around for decades and decades, Arabic jazz is having a really solid past few years (including Malouff's latest). If you're looking to find some hipper/fresher stuff out of the scene, I'd recommend these—


La Saboteuse by Yazz Ahmed
Yazz is a British-Bahraini musician who I've really enjoyed the past few years (can't believe this record came out nearly 8 years ago!). Unfortunately, she hasn't released anything this decade so far, but I'm hoping something's around the bend. Her 2019 record is also excellent.


Elephantine by Maurice Louca
Maurice Louca (Egypt) is one of the most exciting names in the world of jazz right now too (if you've heard of The Dwarfs of East Agouza, he's part of that group). A little more avant-garde, but certainly an exciting artist in the scene. His recent record Moonshine is also excellent. (He's also been part of more folk-inspired works like Lefhfa, and more experimental groups like Karkhana).


Jarak Qaribak by Jonny Greenwood / Dudu Tassa
Greenwood and Tassa's jazz-pop fusion. Really accessible with excellent musicianship.


Aalbat Alawi Op​.​99 by القات [El Khat]
El Khat (Israel/Yemen) leans more traditional Arabic than 'jazz' per se, but what a band. Three excellent records from them so far, and probably the 'punchiest' of the selection here.


Not to mention whatever Habibi Funk (who, you should all be keeping tabs on) has dug up the last few years—


The King Of Sudanese Jazz by شرحبي...bil Ahmed]


Jazz, Jazz, Jazz by فرقة العقا... Abu Bakr]

I hope it builds to a bigger scene. Plenty of potential.

Thank you for your recommendations ?It's always nice to try new things.
In return, here are some Turkish music recommendations,
as Turkish music, Arabic music and Oriental Jewish music use similar-sounding instruments and scales.
E.g.: אלג'יר [Algeir] had combined alternative rock and progressive rock with oriental Jewish music.
cestuneblague
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  • Posted: 02/14/2025 19:00
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They may be Special, but they couldn't Dig out of this hole

Maalouf 6-4
Hayden

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  • Posted: 02/21/2025 00:26
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Hayden wrote:
Yazz is a British-Bahraini musician who I've really enjoyed the past few years (can't believe this record came out nearly 8 years ago!). Unfortunately, she hasn't released anything this decade so far, but I'm hoping something's around the bend. Her 2019 record is also excellent.


So, turns out she's releasing an album next week Anxious

(Sorry for bumping this, just thought I'd share— coincidental, etc).

Also, I gave the Big Special album a listen today. It's great. Energy on it is stellar. Little bit of Idles, little bit of Strokes, little bit of Sex Pistols, etc. Some tracks have some really great lyrics too. Good album, and I would've missed it otherwise.
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