Genrer
Handmade, a Mediterranean tango by Hindi Zahra
Hindi Zahra is a Moroccan-french singer-songwriter who has been compared with talented artists as Manu Chao, Patti Smith or Billie Holliday. Her debut album “Handmade” is a mixture of the rhythms of the African country and the “chanson-français” tradition.
The first album compiles some of the songs she started writing since a very early age. It is a blend of jazz, soul, and indie. Her delicate voice and intimate lyrics can transport you to a world of sensations and emotions. They can, as the title of the fourth track claims, set you free.
The most Moroccan influenced songs in the album are probably “Kiss and thrills”, where the traditional musical instruments seem to fit perfectly with the riff of the electric guitar and Zahra’s voice. And of course “Imik si Mik” where the artist decides to diverge from the English and use the traditional Berber language.
But this is not a world music album, or not only, it is much more. Tracks as “Music” or “Stand up” show a powerful artist that has a lot to offer to the mainstream public as well as to the more traditional music listeners.
My personal recommendation is to prepare a nice tea, choose a cozy room (maybe some pillows on the floor?), play the album softly and enjoy 41 minutes of beautiful little songs and Mediterranean influences.