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Hassan Erraji's MoRoccan Rollers

From Morocco

Venerable bandleader with new charges in tow

From his leadership of that open-eared outfit Arabesque to collaborations with people like Ali Farka Toure and Toumani Diabate, Hassan Erraji's never been one to occupy the same spot for long. The multi-instrumentalist has always sought musical progression and advancement, as long as it came grounded in the rich Berber traditions that beguiled him at a young age. Having swapped Marrakesh for marginally more prosaic Leeds (where he's hooked up with Kaiser Chiefs producer Dave Creffield), Hassan is no candidate for the pipe and slippers yet. Instead he's opened the page on the latest chapter of his musical adventures, this time recruiting a new band of thrusting young pups that go by the fine name of the MoRoccan Rollers. As their name suggests, Hassan Erraji isn't one for leaving traditional music to gather dust on a high shelf. Instead he brings it down within arm's reach, all the while stressing its ongoing relevancy and universality.

(Biography written by Nige Tassell 2011)

Hassan Erraji - Awal Mara Album

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