A Platform for Ethnically and Culturally Inspired Music
IN THE CHARTS
3 times in the Global Top 40
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ABOUT
Al-Yaman means Yemen. It also signifies the get-together and cooperation of people from different sides of the barricade - throughout the entire existence of the band, an Arabic singer and an Israeli drummer, many Czech musicians, a French or American MC, UK transglobalistas, an Indian guitarist, or a Swedish bass player have met and played together. And it's also a band based in the magical heart of Europe, Prague, which comes with a diverse and extensive attitude of multicultural creativity and a direct message of unity... LET'S UNITE!
The music of this Prague-based outfit is inspired by traditional and popular songs of Yemen and other countries of the Arabic world; its sound is a fusion of acoustic instruments and electronic beats – a new trance-oriental-electro-dance-beat.
Yemeni singer Ashwaq Abdulla Kulaib brings a strong Arabic influence into the music. Her singing is an emotional expression mainly of traditional Arabic spiritual songs, her own experiences of life, dreaming, and searching for respect and freedom.
Ashwaq came to Prague in 1990 from Aden, Yemen, to study and stayed. As she is the heart of the band, the composer, multi-instrumentalist, and producer Al-esh (guitar, saz, keyboards, sampler) is its musical brain. Since 1986, as a musician or producer, he has worked with various top Czech bands and artists. In 2000, he met Ashwaq and took the opportunity to form a project of oriental music, using modern technologies and traditional instruments. The other band's musicians are the most respected Czech musicians, active in many other Czech professional bands and musical projects. Occasionally, famous Indian guitar and sitar player and singer Amit Chatterjee (Joe Zawinul, Sting, Santana, and many more) and Algerian-French MC Al Amdiez also share the band's live shows.
Very quickly after its first live performance in 2001, the band became a regular member of both the club and festival scene in the Czech Republic. Innovative, fresh, and attractive sound, fusion of Arabic tunes, ragga, dub, and electronic dance music elements together with traditional acoustic instruments, and last but not least, the exotic voice and stage show of the singer Ashwaq, all this has brought huge response and respect to the band. Both Al-esh and Ashwaq have received many proposals for cooperation from names like Transglobal Underground, Asian Dub Foundation, or Natasha Atlas, to name just a few.
The music of this Prague-based outfit is inspired by traditional and popular songs of Yemen and other countries of the Arabic world; its sound is a fusion of acoustic instruments and electronic beats – a new trance-oriental-electro-dance-beat.
Yemeni singer Ashwaq Abdulla Kulaib brings a strong Arabic influence into the music. Her singing is an emotional expression mainly of traditional Arabic spiritual songs, her own experiences of life, dreaming, and searching for respect and freedom.
Ashwaq came to Prague in 1990 from Aden, Yemen, to study and stayed. As she is the heart of the band, the composer, multi-instrumentalist, and producer Al-esh (guitar, saz, keyboards, sampler) is its musical brain. Since 1986, as a musician or producer, he has worked with various top Czech bands and artists. In 2000, he met Ashwaq and took the opportunity to form a project of oriental music, using modern technologies and traditional instruments. The other band's musicians are the most respected Czech musicians, active in many other Czech professional bands and musical projects. Occasionally, famous Indian guitar and sitar player and singer Amit Chatterjee (Joe Zawinul, Sting, Santana, and many more) and Algerian-French MC Al Amdiez also share the band's live shows.
Very quickly after its first live performance in 2001, the band became a regular member of both the club and festival scene in the Czech Republic. Innovative, fresh, and attractive sound, fusion of Arabic tunes, ragga, dub, and electronic dance music elements together with traditional acoustic instruments, and last but not least, the exotic voice and stage show of the singer Ashwaq, all this has brought huge response and respect to the band. Both Al-esh and Ashwaq have received many proposals for cooperation from names like Transglobal Underground, Asian Dub Foundation, or Natasha Atlas, to name just a few.
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