Tal Ben Ari, Asíkides, Giannis Papaioannou - Hespería (2011)

The album "Hespería" is an ambitious project bringing together Israeli singer Tal Ben Ari (known as Tula) and the group Asíkides, led by Greek multi-instrumentalist Yannis Papaioannou. The album's title refers to the ancient Greek term "Hesperia," meaning "the land of the setting sun" or the Iberian Peninsula.

Musically, the release is a rich mosaic of cultures: Greek, Arabic, Armenian, Sephardic, Turkish, and Flamenco motifs are intertwined. The core of the album consists of original compositions inspired by traditional folklore, alongside reimagined folk songs. The sound is filled with authentic instruments such as the oud, bouzouki, and kanun, which harmoniously blend with Tal Ben Ari’s deep and versatile vocals. This album serves as a symbolic cultural bridge between East and West, exploring the shared roots of Mediterranean peoples.

Tracklist:
1-1 Yannis Moutsakis;Asikides & Tal Ben Ari - El viento que me lleva [4:26]
1-2 Yannis Moutsakis;Asikides & Tal Ben Ari - Ñu [5:10]
1-3 Yannis Moutsakis;Asikides & Tal Ben Ari - Hespería [4:09]
1-4 Yannis Moutsakis;Asikides & Tal Ben Ari - Margudi [3:59]
1-5 Yannis Moutsakis;Asikides & Tal Ben Ari - Camino [4:07]
1-6 Yannis Moutsakis;Asikides & Tal Ben Ari - Django [3:54]
1-7 Yannis Moutsakis;Asikides & Tal Ben Ari - Olivos [3:35]
1-8 Yannis Moutsakis;Asikides & Tal Ben Ari - Montañas de Bingeol [5:13]
1-9 Yannis Moutsakis;Asikides & Tal Ben Ari - Den boro Manula [4:01]
1-10 Yannis Moutsakis;Asikides & Tal Ben Ari - Scalerica de oro [3:11]
1-11 Yannis Moutsakis;Asikides & Tal Ben Ari - Muhayyer Kurdi Semai [3:15]