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From The Socialist newspaper, 5 October 2016
Music: Radio International (Kefaya)
Review: international jazz protest storytelling
photo (Click to enlarge)
Eleanor Donne
They say that you can tell a lot about a band by its name.
Kefaya is an Arabic word meaning 'enough'. It was the cry of the grassroots revolutionary movement in Egypt, a powerful symbol of the 2011 Arab Spring uprisings.
'Radio International' is Kefaya's first album, billed as "stories of migration, tales of musical encounters and sounds of resistance". It mixes music with snippets of spoken word as if you're tuning in to an alternative World Service.
The album features renowned artists from the traditions of Flamenco, Indian classical and Arabic music, brought together by two UK-based musicians, Giuliano Modarelli and Al MacSween. A guitarist and a pianist respectively, they founded Kefaya as an 'international music collective' in 2011.
Intifada
Their primary musical influence is jazz, and this is evident throughout the album. It's largely instrumental, using electronic rhythms and effects to evoke mood.
The musical storytelling is at its best in a piece called 'Intifada'. Reflecting the ebb and flow of the Palestinian struggle against an aggressive Israeli state, an upbeat tune on the oud, a Middle Eastern string instrument, celebrates life and culture. Distant crowds chant, sinister sounds suggest helicopters or rockets maybe, giving way to silence.
My favourite track, though, is 'Bella Ciao', an instrumental version of the Italian anti-fascist anthem from the early 1940s. Check out Kefaya playing this classic at www.tinyurl.com/KefayaBellaCiao. This is definitely one for the campfire!
'Radio International' by Kefaya will be released on 14 October 2016 - for updates see www.kefaya.co.uk
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In The Socialist 5 October 2016:
What we think
Combative, vibrant unions should be central to the Corbyn movement
Socialist Party news and analysis
Sam Allardyce corruption shame: reclaim the game!
Asos workers fear taking toilet breaks, sacked for panic attacks
UK workers born in early 1980s half as wealthy as those born in 1970s
Millions have less than £100 savings
Black History Month
Workplace news and analysis
RMT president Sean Hoyle speaks to the Socialist
Durham teaching assistants ballot for strike
Napo conference 2016: new mood of determination
London Met strike against job cuts and victimisation
Socialist readers' comments and reviews
Corbyn's praise for Cardiff Labour is mistaken
Review: where you live can kill you
Review: international jazz protest storytelling
Socialist Students
Socialist ideas - winning a new generation of students
Socialist Party reports and campaigns
Thousands march against Tory conference
Protests against children's centre closures in Bolton
Why I joined the Socialist Party
Fighting fund record smashed again!
Leeds: Solidarity demo with Irish abortion fight
London: Socialism Today milestone celebration
Worcester: Public meeting discusses Corbyn
International socialist news and analysis
Poland: Fighting back against anti-abortion law
Ireland: repeal the 8th Amendment!
Joint declaration by Izquierda Revolucionaria and the CWI
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