The Arab supergroup who champion Shaabi music
In a specially commissioned, one-of-a-kind show, a new Arab supergroup will explore the infectious spirit of Shaabi, music of the underclasses that mixes classical Arabic with a gritty folk sound. Saeed Saeed reports
Anew Arab supergroup is set to make its debut in Sharjah this Saturday.
Commissioned by the Sharjah Art Foundation, the Praed Orchestra, a who’s who of the Egyptian indie music scene, will put on a performance that will explore the depth of Egyptian street music, commonly referred to as Shaabi.
Hypnotic vocalist Maryam Saleh and multiinstrumentalist Maurice Louca are part of the ensemble, along with rising star Nadah El Shazly, who will share vocal duties and play the buzuq. Also appearing on stage will be guitarist Sam Shalabi, who lives in Canada and is the mastermind behind instrumental groups Land of Kush and Shalabi Effect. Leading the ensemble on the synthesiser, beat machine and vocals is Raed Yassin. The Lebanese producer and musician came across like a proud parent as he told The
National about the evolution of the project.
Praed Orchestra is the latest development of what began as an experimental electronic music duo in 2006 alongside Swiss musician Paed Conca. “We have always been interested in new sounds and doing things differently,” Yassin says. “It started when I was organising a music festival in Beirut and Paed was playing in it.