Exploring Musical Boundaries: Dudu Tassa and Jonny Greenwood Collaborate on "Jarak Qaribak"

Dudu Tassa, a renowned Israeli rock artist, has been on a fascinating musical journey over the past decade, venturing into the realms of traditional Arabic music. This exploration has yielded some remarkable musical gems, with the album "The Kuwaites" being a notable highlight. Now, Tassa and his collaborators have delivered yet another gem with their latest offering, "Jarak Qaribak."

In "Jarak Qaribak," Tassa teams up with Jonny Greenwood, the legendary guitarist of Radiohead, along with a group of talented Arabic musicians hailing from Morocco, Egypt, Jordan, and Iraq. What makes this album particularly intriguing is that each artist performs a new rendition of a song that originated from outside their own home country. The result is a diverse and rich tapestry of sounds and influences that bridge cultures and musical traditions.

The real magic of "Jarak Qaribak" lies in the brilliant arrangements crafted by Tassa and Greenwood. They take the original songs and dress them up with stylish suites of sounds and beats, creating a unique fusion of traditional Arabic music with contemporary elements. In doing so, they bring the beauty of traditional Arabic music to new and diverse audiences, offering a fresh perspective on this rich musical heritage.

One standout track on the album is "Ashufak Shy," originally performed by Mahad Hamed in the early '90s with only an Oud. Tassa and Greenwood's rendition of the song adds an electric guitar, a drum machine, and the haunting sounds of the Ney (Arabic flute), transforming Rashid al Najjar's singing into a sound that feels right at home in 2023.

The album's title, "Jarak Qaribak," translates from Arabic to "your neighbor is your family." In light of recent events in the Middle East that challenge this notion, it's heartening to see that music continues to serve as a unifying force. As Tassa, Greenwood, and their talented collaborators prove with "Jarak Qaribak," music has the power to transcend boundaries and bring people together, fostering a sense of togetherness even in the face of adversity.