Mattias De Craene featuring Black Koyo

You are immediately transported to another atmosphere. By the subdued call-and-response singing that speaks of deep roots in ancient soil. By the deep, dark sounds of the guembri (Moroccan bass guitar). And above all, by the hallucinatory grooves, that wonderfully languid, rocking rhythm. Driven by an interest in mysticism and trance, the groundbreaking Belgian saxophonist Mattias de Craene immersed himself in Moroccan gnawa music for years. That's how he came across Hicham Bilali, alias Black Koyo, who also happened to be working in Brussels. It was the start of this intriguing project. All the elements of traditional Gnawa are present, so ecstasy is guaranteed. But De Craene and Black Koyo bring the music completely into the present. With the prominent percussive contribution of the penetrating krakeb (castanet-like), for example. Or with electronics that make the music even more enchanting.

Photo credits: Gregoire Verbeke

Part of the daytime program at LUX, Music & Films
Sera Kalo eX.II || Naïssam Jalal || Mattias de Craene ft. Black Koyo