Apocalypse Across the Sky

The story of Jajouka in the West begins with William S Burroughs and Brion Gysin, who were their conduit to the world beyond the Rif, where their mixture of Sufi mysticism, paganism, and the cult of the goat-god Boujeloud found voice and spirit. Apocalypse Across the Sky features 16 Master Musicians, plus a six-strong group of female singers, their massed ranks of ghaitas (oboe), lira (flutes), gimbris and voices creating epic music of cosmic proportions. Gysin brought Rolling Stone Brian Jones to the Rif to record their music, the first in a long line of Western artists drawn to the cult of Boujeloud including Ornette Coleman, Talvin Singh and Marc Ribot.

For one of the best recordings of the Master Musicians, it's hard to beat this – Bill Laswell's 1991 release, long out of print but now returning in a double vinyl reissue and download from Berlin label Zehra. Laswell spent three days in November 1991 recording Bachir Attar and his musicians in the village, and the sound is marvellous, immersing you fully in the trance-like, hypnotic music of possession that Jajouka promises, offers and delivers. And like any ‘4,000-year-old rock'n'roll’ (Burroughs) you need to play it very loud.