For
those who have the knowledge of North Africa History back in 814
B.C and around 146 B.C around the times the Romans (led by Marius
) gave the ultimatum to the people of Carthage to surrender or
their city will be wiped out (which ended up burning for 17 days
) they must be familiar with the names Syphax , Massinissa , Carthage
, Elissa and Hannibal , Sophonisbe and Astrudal and so fourth
.From Carthage to Circa from Hippone to Timgad the leadership
of the Berbers was as diverse as their culture and art .Kahina
pushed back many times the Arab invasion and resisted to Rome
and it's brutal occupation Hannibal marched to Rome through the
Alps and almost changed the course of history etc..To this day
North Africa has never ceased to change , be diverse and proud
of it's heritage yet it still remain the same for centuries ,especially
for the native Berbers. Berber musicians also have been so diverse
in music when you consider the vast area where they live from
Tunisia to Morocco ,the Sahara in Mali and the remote places of
the Algerian mountains in Kabylia.The problem is that their work
was never exposed properly to the world and they seldom were given
the credits they deserve until now.
The many faucets of their music is so rich and constantly changes
with the times to reflect the struggles, the experiences , the
new ideas and the new phases of life. We hope that when you listen
to this album you will take a sound trip to many places in North
Africa. This compact "Syphax " reflect the many waves
in which UMALU paints his soundscape and constantly learns and
discovers new grounds. |
