HAWALAT

Description

Drawing inspiration from hawala, an informal money transfer system used in certain countries affected by a lack of currency or unstable contexts, Megarbane turns this concept on its head, reinventing it as an artistic exchange that transcends cultures, generations, and geographies. This spirit of creative movement is embodied in the amalgamative nature of the album, featuring contributions from a group of international artists, including London-based jazz singer Sahra Gure, Italian-Tunisian singer LNDFK, Neapolitan pianist Dario Bassolino, Berlin-based beatmaker and violinist FloFilz, and an orchestral arrangement of 18 pieces by Swedish composer Sven Wunder. Recorded in various locations, from Beirut to Brooklyn, from Stockholm to a rural commune in France, the album's sonic journey reflects its thematic premise. Musically, the tracklist of Hawalat takes listeners on a varied journey of textures and temperaments. The album opens with Hanadi, a percussive groove inspired by Somali music, featuring wordless vocals and soaring saxophone lines. Tracks like Al Dollarji and Al Bahriye encapsulate Megarbane's characteristic Mediterranean sound, while Helia, performed with the Stockholm Studio Orchestra, showcases his cinematic sensibility. Through Hawalat, Megarbane reaffirms his place as a global musical storyteller, allowing influences and traditions to cross borders and meet with fluidity and spontaneity.