Yemen Blues

“a spectacle for the ears” – Folk Works

Yemen Blues is a contradiction in plain sight. They’re a puzzle you unlock by finding the solution inside yourself—solo voices in unison; a collective in many parts. On one level, it’s music at its most direct, its most emotionally emphatic. On another, it’s a spiritual quest, both enlightening and perplexing. Further, this project spans continents while preaching the universal; they obey multiple traditions while forging their own.

With a sense of the spirit in each note, Yemen Blues draws comparison to spiritual jazz greats like John Coltrane. Additionally, they draw from the great traditions of Jewish and Arabic culture. Thus, each note sings with a love for common humanity. “Spirituality unites us,” Ravid explains. “Love unites us. We move to extremes, but it’s soulful.”

Ravid Kalahani planted the first seed in 2010 – Yemen Blues’s founder and talismanic audio guru. They have since become a stamp placed on multiple projects, with many different voices. Rony Iwryn is one of the most persuasive. An Israeli artist from Uruguay, he’s held the percussion chair for over a decade. Iwryn brings an open heart, a thirst for salsa and an ability to find strength in fragility.

Also, Shanir Blumenkranz spans different worlds and sonic systems with his twin roles on bass guitar and oud. His electrifying personality belies a zen-like calm, befitting a giant in New York’s avant-garde scene. Furthermore, he’s worked on more than 150 albums, combining the twin poles of extreme noise and simple melody.

With each project, Yemen Blues adapted into different forms. The flavors varied, but the instinct stayed the same. Dan Mayo completed the quartet. Moreover, he exhibits a hip-hop crunch, a concentrated hunger for fun and a machine-like sense of the human groove.

Recommended for Fans of Tinariwen, Bombino, Fela Kuti and A-WA.

LEARN MORE: https://yemenblues.com/