Press Release from Galileo Records : Al-Andaluz Project new release, Al-Maraya/ The Mirror(Galileo GMC039)on 16th August 2010. The Al-Andaluz Project brings together the vocal traditions of the Muslim, Christian and Jewish worlds in gorgeous harmony through a superb trio of female voices : Mara Aranda (of L’Ham de Foc), Imam Al Kandoussi and Sigi Hausen (Estampie) - backed by a wonderful spectrum of folk and early music instruments, played by Michael Popp (musical director of Estampie), Aziz Samsaoui, Jota Martinez and Ernst Schwindl (Estampie) - they have also added an Indian tabla player and a Russian percussionist. A true cultural exchange. More information in the full article.

Al-Andaluz was the name chosen by the Ummayad conquerors for the Iberian Peninsula. Moorish-governed Spain was not only famous for its tolerance and scholarship, but for prosperity, trade and flourishing arts as well. For many centuries Muslim, Jewish and Christian lived together in peace. Philosophers, poets, artists and musicians were welcome at the courts of occidental rulers like Alfonso X. “the Wise” of Castile, and made their artistic contribution to a unique merging of cultures.

So Al-Andaluz is an entirely appropriate name for a project that brings together members of two groups whose repertoires span these same religious and cultural corner posts.

The Al-Andaluz Project unites L’Ham de Foc, the Sephardic interpreters from Valencia in Spain, with Estampie, the Munich group led by Michael Popp, best known for its dedication to medieval music. The two groups were drawn together by their common interest in the songs of medeival Ladino, Spanish and Arabic traditions.

The three singers who front the project represent these musical and cultural strands. Valencian Mara Aranda, German medieval - ist Sigrid Hausen and Moroccan Iman Kandoussi express the extraordinary cultural and religious openess of the Andalusain culture in song.

Buy a copy of Al-Maraya/ The Mirror out on the 16th August.