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DIASPORA

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FEATURED SONG
Running For Cover (Feat. BOB ANDY)
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Running For Cover (Feat. BOB ANDY)
Album:
Released: Sep 1, 2010
Label:

General Info

  • Genre: Dub / Electronica / Reggae

    Location London, Please select your region., Un

    Profile Views: 21631

    Last Login: 6/15/2011

    Member Since 9/20/2006

    Website www.drcatmusic.com

    Record Label Green Queen Music

    Type of Label Indie

  • Bio

    A Jamaican in Cairo is the debut album from Diaspora. It is an impressive beginning and certainly not a debut in the traditional sense as all the artists involved are already well established in their respective fields. It is a mature work that truly reflects the deep pool of experience and talent from whence it has come. Diaspora was born when founding member, Italian born, Dr Cat (www.drcatmusic.com) joined forces with Frenchman Stephane René while working on the soundtrack for Antonio Capuano’s movie “Lunarossa” which was presented at the Venice Film Festival in 2001. The merging of their diverse styles and backgrounds was a successful union. In 2006 Diaspora was commissioned by the English National Opera to co-compose and arrange the score for the Opera “Gaddafi: A living myth” in collaboration with Asian Dub Foundation staged at the London Coliseum. It was during this time that the beginnings of A Jamaican in Cairo took shape. A Jamaican in Cairo is an elegant work with an authenticity that shows both respect for tradition and for innovation. The sound is fresh and yet at the same time so well blended that it seems to have always been there. Arabic strings snake their way around Kette drum as the Nyahbinghi rhythms give new life to seductive Arabic scales. Reggae skanking and traditional brass fills are transported to the Nile delta on the currents of rippling Darbouka… All the while haunting vocals from east and west tell tales of roots and migration. The pedigree of the musicians involved in this album is impressive and their individual versatility and sensitivity to stylistic nuance is what makes this very particular fusion of styles so successful. Dr Cat, is the founding member of Diaspora. Luca made London his home many years ago and in doing so accessed and built his professional life in and around the unique melting pot that is the London world music scene. Over the years he has worked with many significant artists in England and Italy including General Levy, Feelgood Productions, 99 Posse, Z-Star, Gaudi and Asian Dub Foundation. STEPAHNE RENE has lived and worked internationally and his cultural eclecticism is strongly reflected in his music; When he teamed up with Luca to create Diaspora he had been living between Egypt, London and Jamaica. He specializes in traditional stringed instruments and his performance of Oud, Saz, Guitar and Percussions on all tracks is testament to his versatility and skill. BAHEEG RAMZY MIKAIL (who co-wrote ‘Cane juice blues’ and ‘Elhem-1’ ) not only added his vocal and violin skills to the project but also brought a wealth of knowledge and expertise gained through a long and prolific career. Known as ‘the master of the Maqam’ (the Arabic scale system) he has worked with many of the great figures in Arabic music, including the much celebrated singer and composer the late Mohammed Abdel Wahab and the legendary Om Kalthoum (Umm Kulthum) - who, even 30 years after her death, is considered one of the greatest singers in Arabic music history. AMINA ANNABI is a French Tunisian singer who rose to fame in the wake of the world music explosion in the 1980's. Her haunting vocals on ‘Ya Salam’, ‘Ya Benti’, ‘Nile’ and ‘Elhem-1’ combine beautifully with traditional reggae ‘one drop’ and ‘fundi’ rhythms and signature Klavinet ... creating a fusion that very much represents the album – one that holds separate the individual stylistic identities yet by their infusion gives each one a new flavor. She has become a symbol of successful 'metissage', fusing her traditional Arab roots with modern Western styles. The track ‘Running for cover’ features veteran of the Jamaican reggae scene BOB ANDY. As one of Studio One's leading lights, he worked closely with Jackie Mittoo on many of the label's seminal sounds. Since then he has been ceaselessly composing, recording and performing and remains a household name who has truly earned his place in the firmament of reggae stars. Talented vocalist RAIZ adds his instantly recognizable voice to the title track ‘Diaspora’. As the ex front-man of Italian cult band Almamegretta he is a well established artist who has also featured in the work of many other high profile artists: including recordings with Dub Master Bill Laswell, Leftfield (Rhythm and Stealth) and Massive attack (Karmakoma). His trademark style as a vocalist is his lyrical fusion of Neapolitan, English and Italian.

  • Members

    DR CAT (www.drcatmusic.com) STEPHANE RENE' BAEEGH RAMSY MIKAIL

  • Influences

  • Sounds Like

    RAGGAE ARABESQUES

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