Gleimim

This sixth album from Hungarian-Moroccan band Chalaban takes its title from the nickname of bandleader Saïd Tichiti's childhood home of Guelmim, in the south of Morocco. There the indigenous Arabic, Berber and sub-Saharan African cultures meld together, not always peacefully, in the searing heat of the neighbouring desert. Singing in Arabic, English, French and Hungarian, Tichiti brings together an eclectic mix of musicians, including Armenian, Jewish and Gypsy, to fuse folk and traditional music styles from Africa as well as Central and Eastern Europe. The lyrics deal with topics ranging from homesickness (as in the album's title-track) and alienation to spirituality and religion (as heard on the track ‘Mohammed’).

Despite the weighty themes, there's an upbeat air to many of the songs here – ‘Sandyja’ being a prime example – which suggests funky Afrobeat and Ethio-jazz influences. There's deft use of African and Middle Eastern instruments such as the balafon (xylophone) and djembé (hand drum) by musician Ibrahima Fall, as well as by Saïd Tichiti himself who plays the iconic Gnawa gimbri (lute) among other instruments, in addition to providing the lead vocals on this interesting collection.