Recording Studio: From the ancient folk pieces of the Berber mountain communities, to the Arab-Andalusian music of the cities, to the roots that you’ll hear blaring from taxi radios and café ghetto blasters, recording Studio music is the ultimate expression of Morocco’s culture.
Berber Music
The Berber are the first known people of Africa’s north-west. Over centuries they
monopolised the Saharan trade in salt, gold and slaves and spread their culture throughout the region.There are three main categories of Berber music; village, ritual and professional music.
In a typical scene of village music-making, an entire community may gather in the open air to sing and dance in a large ring around a group of drum (bendir) and flute (nair). The best known dances are the ahouache and the ahidus. Over the past twenty years several masters of bumzdi and ahouache have become very well known.
Berber ritual music often features drums and handclapping. It is used in the rites of the agricultural calendar – such as moussems – as well as on occasions such as marriage. Ritual music is also performed to help deal with evil spirits.
In the Atlas Mountains professions troupes of recording studio musicians, called imdyazn, travel during summer and perform in village squares and at weekly souks. A leader improvises poems telling of current affairs. Drum, rabab and clarinet will accompany the singer. The clarinettist acts as the ensembles’ clown.
Recording Studio: Berber Music
Rwais are Cheuh Berber are musicians from the Sous valley. They perform ancient musical theatre involving poetry, fine clothes, jewels and elaborate rwais. Groups consist of single string rabab, one or two lotars (lutes), sometimes nakous (cymbals), and a number of singers. They play for every celebration and produce their own repertoire (again, on current affairs) and improvisations. Female ensembles Raysat are Female ensembles.
Crash Symphony Productions is a Sydney recording studio. We are located close to the beautiful Sydney Harbour Bridge. If you would like to learn more about our work and how we can help you with your project please call us on +61 408 300 402 or email info@crashsymphony.com.au.
