Waaju - Barma Soussandi

Introducing ‘Barma Soussandi’ – the lead single from Waaju & Majid Bekkas’s unique live collaborative record ‘Alouane’. This song explores intensity through repetition, with a brooding energy throughout, as many present in the crowd found themselves risen to their feet with palpable growing intensity. In this Moroccan Gnawa song, the Bambara inspired lyrics speak of a gathering and community. Appropriately, this live reimagining was recorded at London’s Church of Sound, with the band mirroring each other’s energy in the round surrounded by a bustling sell-out crowd filling every corner.

After the initial vocal phrases from Moroccan Gnawa Master Majid Bekkas, the track strips back for bass improvisations from Joe Downard as high frequency clatter lopes forward. As Downard steps back once more, vocal and saxophone conversation increases in intensity until the eventual drop of Bekkas’ guimbri with heavy drums. Pulsating, tripped out interplay between saxophone and guitar showcases Waaju’s chemistry once more, taking us to the climax, and a delicate landing back to earth shows their dynamic sensibility. Closing roars from the crowd give a taste of the room’s energy and appetite for what more the record will bring.

‘Barma Soussandi’ is the first single from Waaju & Majid Bekkas and is out on 9th August 2024 with BBE Music. ‘Alouane’, their highly anticipated upcoming record, is out on 11th October 2024 and acts as a powerful sequel to Waaju’s most recent highly successful studio album ‘Grown’ in 2020. On ‘Alouane’ Majid Bekkas, who’s considered one of the foremost figures in Moroccan Gnawa music today, is placed in a uniquely Waaju UK Jazz soundscape for the first time in his first and only collaboration with a UK band to date.