Oudaden
Brahim El Mazned
  • country:Morocco
  • region:North Africa
  • style(s):World
  • label:not signed
  • type:Band
  • gender:male
  • instrumentation:instrumental, vocal
  • artist posted by:Festival Timitar

Banjo and electric guitar begin an introductory
improvisation, free-form and floating. Then the soaring voice of Abdellah el Fouah declaims the theme of the song, stretching out the tension until the percussion kick-starts the rhythm and... they're off Band and audience are carried along on a rolling wave of buzzing bendirs, clacking qariqibs and dazzling derbouka drumming that subtly shifts and changes shape as el Fouah sings praise-songs to beauty or dispenses wisdom on life's struggles. For more than 20 years Oudaden have been a major force in Moroccan music, releasing over 14 albums. They are ambassadors of Amazigh (Berber) culture, whose people are spread throughout northwest Africa and include the Kabiyle of Algeria and the Tuareg of the Sahara. Preserving Amazigh traditions is a continuous challenge and Oudaden are foremost international champions of the cause.