When we first came across Lebanese songstress Frida, it was clear we were in the presence of a refined, eclectic artist, committed to multicultural aesthetics and kaleidoscopic musical research. Channelling the best definition of World Music, Frida balances Arabic and French folk influences, blending local instruments and languages into a timeless, Avant-garde formula. The same formula allows us to hear انا مين – Ana Min, the project’s latest effort.
A four-track, passionate journey into Frida’s recent endeavours, the EP delivers two tracks in Arabic, one in French and one in English. Accompanying her on this trip, we find Frida’s long-time collaborators Florian Bolliger (bass) and Félix Fivaz (drums), joined by Lebanese talents Scarlett Saad (keyboards, guitar), Ramy Akiel (qanun) and Patrik Abi Abdalla (percussions and drums).
The result is stunning, surprising and cathartic. While ‘I’m Gonna Be a Sailor’ and ‘D’Être’ follow pretty standard western formulas, يملا فیك اوفوش and نیم انا navigate instead more Arabic avenues, demonstrating that when cultures permeate each other, good things happen.
Not a record for everyone, انا مين – Ana Min will be a refreshing discovery for the keen listener, with the potential of transporting you into new, unknown territories.
Recommended! Discover Frida on Spotify:
