AZA: Marikan

Aza

Marikan

© 2003 Certain Moment Publishing Ltd (827912001112)

CD IN STOCK. ORDER NOW. Will ship immediately.

(About MP3 downloads at CD Baby)

Music of the Amazigh (Berber) culture of Morocco meets a contemporary American groove.

try this

albums you will love

genres you will love

By Location

Recommended if you like ...

notes

AZA is the letter "Z" in the Tamazight alphabet. It is also the symbol of the Amazigh (Berber) identity, the indigenous people of North Africa.

Imagine....

... the sounds of the flowing sand of the Sahara...

... the intensity of the tribal chants of the Gnawi people...

... the hypnotic grooves of North African music...


AZA hails from Santa Cruz, California- USA. Their debut album, Marikan (2003) is a stirring journey through the music of the Berber culture, infused with a modern western influence. Vocalists Fattah Abboo and Mohamed Aoualou both hail from Morocco, and with the help of Jason Paquin (banjo, guitar), Joel Ford (clarinet, saxophones), Andy Zenczak (electric bass), and Alex Work (drum set), this six piece ensemble creates a unique and powerful sound filled with gripping melodies, complex harmonies, traditional African instruments (oud, lotar, sentir, bendir and more) and an infectious rhythm section that tips its hat to Rai music while perservering to create its own original sound.

The album features over 52 minutes of original music. The single, "Zrigh" is gaining popularity and has been heard on radio stations KUSP, KZSC, and KPIG in the central coast of California. The band's distinct sound has garnered praise from fans and musicians from all over the globe.

Recorded at Gadgetbox Studio in Santa Cruz, CA (www.gadgetbox.net) in spring of 2003, owner/engineer Andy Zenczak recalls being immediately moved from the initial days of tracking with this seasoned ensemble. "The music was so well arranged, it was as though the band had a professional producer properly orchestrate their material. Every instrument had its role, and even with the complexity of the melody lines and the exactness of the rhythms, everything managed to have its space in the mix." Through the studio sessions, the band found itself in the midst of a lineup change, and soon found themselves welcoming Andy aboard on fretted and fretless electric bass. Andy admits, "I always knew it would have to take a special project to get me out of the engineer's chair and back onto the road- but this band surpasses all my aspirations." The album was mastered by Bay Area recording guru Myles Boisen, who is a consistent contributing writer to Electronic Musician magazine and who has worked with many creative giants. including Fred Frith, Babatunde Olatunji, and David Lynch/Angelo Badlamenti.

The CD package art of 'Marikan' is equally as impressive as the music within. Through the wonders of internet exploration, AZA connected with Dan Heller, a Bay Area photographer whose pictures of Morocco and the Sahara desert spoke volumes of emotions and instantly brought Fattah and Mohamed memories of their homeland. Heller's contribution is not small- it is not easy to find good photography of this region of the world, especially of this caliber. The photos used were carefully scrutinized to create a visual landscape that would help transport the listener on the journey they would hear upon listening to the CD. Add to this a fantastic 6 panel eco-friendly Digipak (cardboard sleeves, no jewelbox) and 'Marikan' emerged- ready to be listened to and appreciated by all!

Currently selling out well-known Bay Area locations such as the Kuumbwa Jazz Center, the band is poised to travel and promote the release of 'Marikan.' Please visit the official web site at www.azamusic.net, and check the schedule for a performance near you.

reviews

Please log in to review this album.

  • azul
    author: amazighnsouss

    tanmmirt noun f si3r lli gitoun illan ayouuuuz

  • azoul

    salam aza salam imazirhne ina rhlane azoul flawne

  • FTTAH IGA YIWIS N TMAZIRT BRAVO SSI FTTAH ABBOU
    author: HASSAN ASSOUKA

    BRAVO SI FTTAH AZUL IMINTANOUT

  • bonjour!
    author: arezki

    azul felawen! je me présente je m'appelle arezki je suis de marseille j'ai 12 ans j'aime bien votre style de musique, c'est mon père qui me l'a fait découvrir c'est très bien continuez !

  • bonjour!
    author: amar

    azul ammis n'umazigh , je suis trés content que tamazgha se reveille , vous faites de trés bon travail .continuez! j'ai eu l'occasion de vous voir sur berbere tv ,je suis kabyle d'algerie et vous souhaite boncourage ,vive tamazgha ennegh !

  • the best way to enjoy the lovely full moon nights of tafraout while i am in lond
    author: abdul choukrat

    it was love at first hearing.i tried to buy it a while ago,i couldnt. now i baught it ,i am so pleased to listen to it all the times.i particularily love sidi daoud when i am driving.maybe because it has got this gnawa/trance rythm or???????????

  • tahwawit fadwa tiznite
    author: fadwa tahwawit

    salam ou aalaykom aytma istma azol flawan, arkon bahra tchkarh f cd yad zaama maradawn inih olah abla tbarkalah flawan khasosan aabd fttah ak ihfd rabi ini amin, saraha cd ifolki bzaf bzaf ar bahra tkhnayt f atan nki gih ilis watan okan ihatsalah omarg watan ariyi itaajab bzaf achko aachht nki dikhfinou, lmohim chokran bzaf aala cd arawn tmanah atzaydam salgdam, yalah ad isahal rabi layaawnkom. tamzlout

  • author: ahmed

    i t s impossibl to find aza cd in morocco.can u help me

  • happy husband!!!
    author: Ann

    My husband heard Aza at a world music festival here in Wisconsin and has been raving about them ever since - can't wait to surprise him with Amerikan on Christmas. Thank you!!!

  • try to have a link with IRCAM
    author: youba

    IRCAM IS IN FRENCH l'institut royal de la culture amazigh. this institut can help you for to be more famous in morroco

  • try to use only the word amazigh in your songs
    author: youba

    please the word "ijaaa" is arabic word. the amazigh word is "ouchn(le loup)assa(aujourdhui)inghat laz(il a faim)

  • great music for circle dancing
    author: annet

    I like to explore different genres for music to use in circle dancing and this CD has at least a half dozen very danceable tunes! The music dances in my head and then into my bones.

  • excellent,wonderful
    author: tamlalte

    Azul.ur CD have a good songs it's a honor of all people OUARZAZI also is a good things to get it to all people amazigh and MORROCAN good luck tamlalte in OUARZAZATE

  • Excellent Record

    I got the cd in less two days.The music is fabulous,this is my second purchase as a gift to a friend. Thank you for your service!!

  • Wonderful
    author: Saqqara Bellydancer

    Excellent music, love it.

  • author: perfect.

    melange de sons interessant, des paroles justes. seul bemol: ça manque de voix feminine.

  • aaaaa
    author: said

    fantastique cd i well to to see it in video clib

  • Penetrating to the soul.
    author: Lee L.

    This CD left me going through the day with some of the music in my head. The music is brilliant and is a must hear.

  • lovely
    author: S. Haley

    Grooving meditation, musical prayer, aural loveliness... all wrapped together. Thanks.

  • tanmirte bahra ifljjane.....
    author: rashid B

    aytma lli illane gh trabboutad..arrken bahra nsnimir f CD yad lli bahra issousmen..a nssoutour ansfld izoud taghawssa yad ghmad youchkane ghwussane....mach ghid gh morocco,oranttafa CD GH SSSOUK... TANMIRTE

  • Enjoyable - am looking forward to the next one
    author: Anna

    The reason I ordered this CD was because I heard the group perform at the Monterey Aquarium in June - and I was hoping the pieces that were performed there would have been on this CD. They weren't - to my disappointment, what was there was an earlier set of works. I think Aza is coming into its own, utterly mesmerizing and magical (a la Othmar Liebert), so, I enjoy the CD but am looking to the next, more mature work!

  • One of my favorite albums
    author: Julie

    When listening to Aza's Marikan, I like to close my eyes so my senses are concentrated only on the sound, which is flowing and beautiful. Working as a instrument repair person, I hear exotic music everyday, and this album is one of the few that I feel is more than an arbitrary collection of sounds, but a truly soulful experience. Thank you for creating it.

  • ourdari matinigh great music as i expected we want more....
    author: redouane bascouta

    azul flaoun a ait mazirt....cd fkighass 5stars but ikhassat 1 million stars like our beautiful sky in ouarzazat....saha drari....

  • han mayad ya3jbi bahra.orili mangadan doumargue amazigh.
    author: BOUHMAD SAID IGHERM TAROUDANT

    TANMIRTE BAHRA ERGHANE.arawne tinikhe ayouze noune ola matskirme.khtwala tamsmounte tamaguit dayte igherm arawne tinikhe tanmirte yadne

  • author: mohend ouaatta de lille

    azulat ayimazighen, ayyouz nnoun kigan this justify a good progress in tamazight music...illawn wouddour et tanmmirt kigan.

  • Tanemmirt meqquren f CD ade enewen. Yeajeb ayi bahra. Ayyuz enewen. Eddewet qher
    author: Asmun

    Tamusikat qh CD enewen tefulky bahra. Awd iwaliwen useyen kigan ene umarg ene t'mazirt ede ayt darenqh. Riqh awen afulky yegguten ede imal yefejjijen. Iqh as tufam, azenat ayi ed e-mail enewen. Winew: asmounamazigh@yahoo.com. Aseggwas iqhudan. Umatun Asmun. NY 12/13/04.

  • Excellent!!!
    author: Maria

    The CD rocks! My favorite tracks are Sidi Daoud and Azul but the entire CD is great! They are even more great live! Their music is very soothing... thanks for your hard work and please come to the Bay Area again!

  • step bye step
    author: berool

    thank you very very much for this cd it's really another vision to berbere music

  • Another step into a unknown world =8o
    author: DJ Sypherd

    Stumbled onto these guys at Cabrillo Music Festival and was Blown Away!! I'm always on the lookout for new ways that musicians mix culturals, instruments, etc. This combination definitely works!!

  • AZA are stars
    author: Ahmed

    Hello, I got the CD, its a very very good music. I'm from morocco High Atlas Mountains the source of the AZA Music. Good luck.

  • These guys are stars!!
    author: drumtherapy

    This cd is a great journey to the unkown corners of morrocco. The rhythmic sensibilities of these musicians is insane. For musicians listening, try and find the one! The rest of you will shake your bones. The time will soon come for this band to take a step into the world market.....KILLER!! Also, the gadgetbox studio in Santa cruz run by incredible producer andy zenczak is the only studio you need to know about in the Bay area--Great sounds on this record!!

  • I wish you fame,and continuity. Thanks a lot for giving us such music
    author: MASSINES ;-)

    It has been a long time since i’ve started listening to AZA’s wonderful songs. Unfortunately,i didn’t have the occasion to send you this message before. Frankly speakingyour way of singing is good in general .Yet,as far as rythm is concerned,what is special is that each song seems to be different from the other one. This will certainly allow this kind of music to be widespread . Before saying good bye , i’d like to inform you about my own classification of the three first songs of your first album,here they are in order : amksa – zrigh – aqarid. I wish you fame,and continuity. Thanks a lot for giving us such music

  • Lovely
    author: Mary

    Very nice. Interesting listening.

  • Errhamt nRabbi.
    author: Said Aoualou.

    A wonderful experience.All the songs are warm and inspiring. See you soon!

  • great journey !
    author: anezruf

    to those who love profound and innocent feelings, so close to primitive human sensations, so close to earth, blue sky, sun, souls rather than bodies, this music dialogues with the simpliest structures of soul !

  • author: syfax01@yahoo.fr

    thank for this product , there is very good songs and well made . i liked it because it's my culture even know that who sing in this songs are from an other country . thank you

  • Great CD, excellent music
    author: Joe Auricchio

    I first heard Aza live on KPIG radio (Freedom and Cambria, CA), and bought their album that night. The music is wonderful, and it's always good to broaden one's horizons and listen to something new. There are a lot of very interesting rhythms and harmonies completely alien to Western music. Aza have the ability to flow effortlessly between totally different rhythms with absolutely no hesitation. The music is excellently played and wonderfully orchestrated, with each instrument having its own important niche. On a couple of tracks, especially Tamghart and Aqarid, the vocals are nothing short of gripping. The CD itself is well-produced and the recording is almost entirely transparent. Aza, I'm waiting for your next album!

  • author: belkessam

    I received the cd in two days. The service is perfect and I like the music as well Thank you very much for all the team. Keep going

email

Please log in to email this artist.