Hassan Hakmoun (1963, Moroccan)

Saade (“Im Happy”). Hassan Hakmoun lead vocal, sintir, Radouane Lakib oud, vocal, Said Hakmoun bander, vocal. On The Kronos Quartet‘s album “Pieces of Africa”Elektra Nonesuch 9 79275-2 (US edition) or 7559-79275-2 (European edition) . 

Kronos’ typical “classical meets world music”. The substantial piece on the CD is Kevin Volans’ String Quartet “White Man Sleeps”. The rest is folk or traditional in string quartet attire, with a complement of various African instruments. Music that you could imagine taking place in an Irish pub as much as in Africa (NOT that I’m implying you can truly confuse Irish and Arabic, except perhaps after 15 pints). Entertaining, easy-listening, not substantial.

Hakmoun’s entry on Wikipedia

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