Mustapha Skandrani - Istikhbars And ImprovisationsIt's back in a shiny new jacket. Essential piano works. Mustapha Skandrani: besides having an excellent name, this man, a luminary of Algerian music, possessed a unique musical sense, able to transcend the borders of musical cultures to create a distinctive fusion of Arabo Andalusian and European styles. Istikhbars And Improvisations, recorded in 1965 in Paris, is a solo piano album presenting a trans Mediterranean crossover based on traditional

taken from a library record of "drumdrops" (hence the title)

‘Miracles’ embodies the idea that the voice can inspire faith where none seems forthcoming

Part 1 is driven by a captivating bass groove with lush

“I like chords

the flame was kept burning in the most unlikely places

and is pivotal to our reason for existing

and engineered

“Here’s To You” beautifully combines sweeping synth-strings

jazzy piano styles

The accompanying music video

In 1962 they started off as ‘The Sparks’ (a well-respected Calypso outfit who released a bunch of successful singles) but with the release of their hit single ‘Come On Down’ from 1975

as "A Magic Spin" will be released via Kame House Records in February 2023