Taarab 3: The Music Of Zanzibar CD - Import

This is one of four volumes of taarab music recorded on location in Zanzibar in February 1988 by Ace Records (the others are single-artist releases by Ikhwani Safaa Club, Culture Musical Club, and Seif Salim Saleh with Abdulla Mussa Ahmed). Taarab music is a beguiling combination of African, Indian, and Arab musical influences, usually delivered by a small, quasi-orchestral ensemble and melismatic vocals. This volume differs from its companions not just in that it's a various-artists compilation, but also in its focus on smaller taarab groups (although Ikhwani Safaa Musical Club do have a couple of tracks), who are also more apt to include women as singers. In truth, to casual listeners there isn't much difference between these combos and the more famous (in Zanzibar, anyway) and bigger groups, aka "clubs." There sometimes isn't as much instrumentation, perhaps, but the sound is still pretty full and rhythmic. According to the liner notes, the songs (largely composed and played by men and sung by women, although as of 1988 some women were getting involved in the songwriting and playing) are often arguments of sorts between clubs, which you wouldn't necessarily guess from the ebullient tone of the singing. Aside from (and more important than) its interesting social dimensions, this is good, emotional music, recommended to listeners looking for a satisfying blend of continents and a combination of traditional and modern forms. ~ Richie Unterberger

mixed vocal groups from musical clubs of Zanzibar

Recording information: Zanzibar (02/1988-03/1988).

Photographers: Adam Skeaping; Roger Armstrong.