Into The Ahl Srif album recorded live in Joujouka available now for the first time digitally

Into The Ahl Srif features field recordings of the Master Musicians of Joujouka recorded in 2012

Master Musicians of Joujouka live album Into The Ahl Srif  is being released as a digital download for the first time today (5th June).

The album was originally released as a limited vinyl LP in 2015 by Ergot Records.

Today (5th June) would have been the opening of the 2020 Master Musicians of Joujouka festival that has been postponed as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

While we understand many will be disappointed not to make the trip to Morocco to attend the festival in Joujouka it is now possible to experience the sounds of the Master Musicians of Joujouka live in their village – from Adrian Rew’s recordings at the festival in 2012.

Due to the lockdown measures and guidelines around social distance, in Morocco as the rest of the world, the Master Musicians have been unable to work since March.

In an appeal for funds Ergot Records are today releasing Into The Ahl Srif making this previously limited-edition vinyl album available for the first time as a digital download.

Originally a vinyl only release this is a great opportunity to get a digital copy of this beautiful field recording.

Listen and download the album here

By selecting the ‘Name your price’ option at checkout will donate additional funds to the Master Musicians of Joujouka. In addition, on 5th June as Bandcamp are waiving all fees it means your contribution goes directly to the artists.

Recorded live in Joujouka in 2012, Into The Ahl Srif  was the first new album of Joujouka material available on vinyl since 1976.

From Ergot Records: “Focusing on the trance-inducing ghiata music of the rites of Boujeloud, Into The Ahl Srif  eschews the highly edited, special-effects approach of Brian Jones Presents The Pipes Of Pan At Joujouka  in favor of a raw, untampered transmission. Although preserving the full 90-minute fertility ritual in uninterrupted form would be impossible on any physical sound medium, this LP takes a more thorough look than ever before at this most cacophonous, droning, and deeply psychedelic side of Joujouka’s music.”

The album was recorded and produced by Adrian Rew. Album artwork by Mohamed Hamri.

The cover art was a Hamri painting gifted to Genesis Breyer P-Orridge  by Brion Gysin and which was acquired by MMOJ producer and manger, Frank Rynne, from the late great Gen.

The album is available now at the Ergot Records Bandcamp page:

ergotrecords.bandcamp.com/album/into-the-ahl-Srif

For latest on the 2020 festival and updates on rescheduled dates when available visit here

The Master Musicians of Joujouka and The Orb Japan Tour 2020

The Master Musicians of Joujouka and The Orb tour together in Japan in 2020

Frue presents The Master Musicians of Joujouka, returning to Japan for the first time since 2017, on tour in collaboration with The Orb.

The Master Musicians of Joujouka continue their collaboration with The Orb, debuted at last year’s Dior Cruise Show 2020 in Marrakesh, combining ancient Sufi trance music from Morocco with electronic soundscapes created by the UK-based architects of ambient house

Ahmed El Attar and Mohamed El Hatmi of the Master Musicians of Joujouka with Alex Paterson of The Orb in Marrakesh last year. Photo © Frank Rynne

Master Musicians of Joujouka and the Orb

Japan 2020 Tour Dates:

Festival De Frue poster

31 October – 1 November

Festival De Frue 2020

Tsumagoi Resort Ayanosato

Kakegawa City, Shizuoka Prefecture

frue.jp


3 November

WWWX Shibuya

Tokyo

www-shibuya.jp/schedule/012275.php

At Festival De Frue the Master Musicians of Joujouka will perform three sets – including a headline show in collaboration with The Orb, and a late night acoustic show in a bespoke outdoor tent set to recreate the vibe of the Master Musicians’ annual summer festival at their village in Joujouka, in the Ahl Srif mountains of Morocco. In addition the Master Musicians will play an afternoon set on the main stage at the festival playing lira and tebel.

Watch: Master Musicians of Joujouka v The Orb live Dior Cruise Show 2020

Watch: Master Musicians of Joujouka Live Over Japan 2017

Tickets for both events go on sale on 26 January. Full tour information and booking here: frue.jp/joujouka_orb2020/

Read the Resident Advisor Japan preview for the tour here

The Master Musicians of Joujouka ahead of their collaboration with The Orb in 2019. Photo © Aladin Ilou
The Orb with the Master Musicians of Joujouka in Marrakesh, April 2019. Photo © Frank Rynne
The Master Musicians of Joujouka live with The Orb in Marrakesh, April 2019. Photo © STN LENS

More details soon!

Abdeslam Boukhzar of the Master Musicians of Joujouka RIP

Abdeslam Boukhzar with Billy Corgan of the Smashing Pumpkins in Joujouka, 2006 photo Frank Rynne

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Master Musician of Joujouka Abdeslam Boukhzar (1946-2019).

Abdeslam was an iconic force in Joujouka and the keeper of a repository of mountain folk songs that made him legendary in the Ahl Srif mountains.

He had a long career in the music of the village and worked with numerous musicians over his long tenure as a Master Musician.

Abdeslam Boukhzar, right, with the Master Musicians of Joujouka at Glastonbury 2011, photo Jill Furmanovsky

Abdeslam participated in the 40th Anniversary of Brian Jones Master Musicians of Joujouka Festival in 2008 and toured with the Master Musicians of Joujouka playing on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury Festival, UK in 2011 and Japan in 2017 where he gave memorable performances.

In 2016 he was part of the group that played at Centre Pompidou, Paris – recorded for the forthcoming LP Live in Paris.

Among his recording credits include Jajouka Between The Mountains, with the Master Musicians of Jajouka (1995) and Into The Ahl Srif, released on Ergot Records in 2015 with the Master Musicians of Joujouka.

Abdeslam had suffered ill health over the last couple of years and died peacefully at home in Joujouka on 5th December, aged 73.

His passing is mourned by all in Joujouka and the wider Joujouka family.

May he rest in peace. 

The Master Musicians of Joujouka at Centre Pomidou, Paris 2016, Abdeslam Boukhzar fifth from left, photo Herman Vanaerschot
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