Ahwach LP by Ethnikman

The debut album from Ethnikman aka Yassine Arrahil.
His 18 track opus is a masterfully inventive electronic album that is filled with influences from the worlds of folk and ethnic music.

Ethnikman is born in Rotterdam, The Netherlands and grew up in Marrakesh, Morocco, surrounded by a unique variety of inspirational sounds that still inspire and influence him to this day. He has previously made hip hop, engineered live events and graduated at the SAE Institute of Rotterdam. An avid collector of old folk LPs and 45rpm records, his quest for forgotten ethnic sounds now comes full circle as he present a whole world of them in this fresh electronic album in an "Ethnic House" style. Each track's name represents a remote village in Morocco, fromwhich the "Ahwach" of that region preserve their authentic chants, music and performance for centuries.

Starting with the chants and chunky drums of Chefchaouen, the album goes from heavyweight grooves that demand you dance to more minimal and percussive affairs that flutter and float like a butterfly on a warm day. Each track is packed with authentic percussion, fleets, drums and found sound samples that lend it a truly global feel.

Telouat is a track that rocks back and forth on its drums as chanting hypnotises you. Ait Bougemaz is loose and jumbled in its arrangement and makes you feel the same and Taskiouine is a flurry of drums and wind instruments as the double reed instrument from North Africa "Ghaita", hand cymbals "Krakebs" and dusty drums that will make any party go off. Closer Imintanout slips into a deeper, more late night groove and rounds things out perfectly.

This is a truly unique album that brings plenty of new ideas to the table and excels as a result to defined a "new"? sub-genre of "Ethnic House", this time, with a Moroccan touch.

"Bringing Folklore to the Dance Floor"

Ethnikman, a sound engineer, producer, DJ. Yassine was born in Rotterdam city - The Netherlands early eighties and raised in Marrakesh city - Morocco. where his passion for traditional music developed.

Focused on Ethno/ Tech House, to bring colours of the north african and ethnic vibes to the global House/Minimal world.