Lila

Description

A NEW HYPNOTIC ALBUMFROM THE MOROCCAN GROUP BASED IN NYCDaptone Records presents Lila, the new studio album by InnovGnawa, a group nominated for the Grammy Awards in 2018. A groupformed in New York by Moroccan expatriates, Innov Gnawa hasparticularly stood out locally and abroad thanks to theirhypnotic concerts. The lineup is led by Ma’alemHassan Ben Jaffar, an exceptional musician who plays thethree-stringed African bass called guembri. Ben Jaffar isaccompanied by a brotherhood of musicians composed of AminoBelyamani, Ahmed Jeriouda, Samir Languset Nawfal Atiq whoall play the qraqeb, metal castanets thatrepresent the chains and irons of slaves, and sing inchorus. Gnawa music is a spiritual tradition rooted inMorocco’s history. Also known as Sufi blues,the African influence of gnawa originates from the West Africanslaves brought to Morocco centuries ago. Much likethe blues in the southern United States, gnawa music is reveredin Morocco as a treasure of indigenous soul music. Spottedby the producer and gnawa music enthusiast, Bosco Mann, InnovGnawa was invited to record a few tracks at the Daptone Houseof Soul where the group then spent five hours recording in asingle take the equivalent of what would become the album Lila. The album’stitle, which translates to "night," refers to a traditionalceremony that lasts all night, a spiritual ritual aimed atpurifying the body, soul, and spirit. Daptone Records invitestoday’s listeners to immerse themselves in Lila, to discoverfreedom, liberation, and the healing power of music.