Sounds from the Moroccan mountains The Master Musicians of Jajouka are a male band from Morocco. Their music takes its inspiration from the traditional music of the Rif Mountains in Tangiers.

Considered by Mick Jagger as “one of the most inspiring music groups still alive”, they were discovered in the 1950s by William Burroughs and Paul Bowles, but they only made the spotlight in 1967 when Bryan Jones (guitarist of the Rolling Stones) was enthralled by a Jajouka performance and decided to make a recording with them. “Brian Jones Presents The Pipes of Pan at Jajouka” was launched in 1969.

The sound of the Master Musicians of Jajouka seems strange to the western ear at first, a bit like a nasal humming and sharp sounds of uncertain origin. Given time, the rhythms infiltrate the listener’s ear to such an extent that they can induce a state of trance and introspection. The North Americans, who watched the band’s début in the Land of Uncle Sam in 1997 during an “Aid el Kebir” promotion, would certainly agree. The critics were unanimous: the band’s music was so intense that it put entire cities in the country’s interior in a trance.

Official Site - http://www.jajouka.com/
MySpace Site - http://www.myspace.com/jajoukamasters