Fadfada Duo (Nabil Arbaain & Hans Bilger) - Live at High Wave Audio (2024) [Hi-Res]

FADFADA, in Arabic, means "unburdening," or "heart-to-heart." The musical duo "Fadfada" weaves together Arabic classical compositions, beloved popular songs, and original works, seeking to create an intimate and deeply personal musical language that spans the vastly different yet interconnected lives of its two members.

At the heart of Fadfada are Nabil Arbaain, an oud player hailing from Damascus, Syria, and Hans Bilger, a double bassist and oud player from Brooklyn, New York. The two met when Bilger, fascinated by the oud's sound and history, enrolled in lessons at the Arabic Music Institute Berlin, found by Arbaain.

The term "fadfada" in Arabic captures the essence of their collaboration - a relaxed, candid, and emotionally unrestrained exchange of ideas and experiences. As Arbaain and Bilger explored their respective musical and cultural heritages, a deep bond between them formed.

Arbaain's oud playing, steeped in the rich tradition of Arabic classical music, combines seamlessly with Bilger's diverse musical background, which encompasses American folk, jazz, and avant garde. Together, they create a sound that is at once grounded in the elegance of the Middle Eastern musical canon and infused with the creative energy of contemporary Berlin.

Through their performances and recordings, Fadfada seeks to cultivate a sense of emotional catharsis and connection, inviting the audience to partake in their "fadfada" - an open, unrestrained, and deeply personal musical dialogue. By bridging the cultural divides between Damascus and Brooklyn, Arbaain and Bilger offer a powerful testament to the binding power of music.

Nabil Arbaain, oud, composition
Hans Bilger, double bass, oud, mixing, mastering

Tracklist:
-1. Fadfada Duo (Nabil Arbaain & Hans Bilger) - Zikryiate (06:40)
-2. Fadfada Duo (Nabil Arbaain & Hans Bilger) - My Faltering Steps Toward the Illusion of Freedom (04:08)
-3. Fadfada Duo (Nabil Arbaain & Hans Bilger) - The Whirling Dervish (04:46)
-4. Fadfada Duo (Nabil Arbaain & Hans Bilger) - Samai Nawa Athar (09:13)
-5. Fadfada Duo (Nabil Arbaain & Hans Bilger) - Ana Fi Intizarak (09:42)