Saha Gnawa - Saha Gnawa (2025)

The self-titled debut album by Saha Gnawa is a cross-cultural fusion pairing Moroccan Gnawa music with New York City jazz, groove, and electronics, creating what is described as North African futurism. Refined during late-night sessions in Brooklyn, the ensemble explores trance-like states through intuitive improvisation, blending centuries-old Gnawa tradition with contemporary sound, resulting in ecstatic dance tracks. Saha Gnawa builds upon the legacy of Innov Gnawa but brings something new to the table. It is co-led by Maâlem Hassan Ben Jaafar, a master musician and inheritor of the Gnawa tradition who performs on vocals and the guembri (a three-stringed bass lute), and drummer/composer Daniel Freedman, who brings decades of experience with African and Middle Eastern traditions. The ensemble features notable musicians on qraqebs (castanets), keys, synths, and guitars, with guest appearances from artists like Nels Cline (Wilco) and Donny McCaslin. Tracks on the album invoke various Gnawa spirits and ancestors, utilizing traditional instruments alongside synths, electronics, and improvisation, showcasing a blend of acoustic and electronic, East and West. Critics praise the album for its energy, bold mix of ancient traditions with futuristic elements, and successful step into new dimensions of sound.

Maâlem Hassan Ben Jaafar // guembri, vocals
Daniel Freedman // drums, percussion,
Amino Belyamani // qraqebs, backing vocals
David Lizmi // qraqebs, backing vocals
Ahmed Jeriouda // qraqebs, backing vocals
Naoufal Atiq // backing vocals
Jason Lindner // keyboards, synthesizers
Guilherme Monteiro // guitar
Gustavo DiDalva // percussion

Gilad Hekselman // guitar (A1, A2, A3, A4, B4)
Roman Diaz // congas (A2, B2, B4)
Nels Cline // guitar (A1, A3)
Abraham Rodriguez Jr. // vocals, (B2)
Gilmar Gomes // percussion (B2)
Donny McCaslin // tenor saxophone (B4)



Tracklist:
1-1 Saha Gnawa;Nels Cline - Soudani Manayou [4:26]
1-2 Saha Gnawa;Gilad Hekselman - Baba Mimoun [4:23]
1-3 Saha Gnawa;Nels Cline - Bacha Hamou [5:05]
1-4 Saha Gnawa;Gilad Hekselman - Aicha [5:14]
1-5 Saha Gnawa - Hamdouchia [3:42]
1-6 Saha Gnawa;Gilmar Gomes;Abraham Rodriguez Jr. - Tbal [6:38]
1-7 Saha Gnawa - Sandiya [4:16]
1-8 Saha Gnawa;Donny McCaslin - Negshah [9:24]