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Abbar El Hamada Image
Metascore
67

Generally favorable reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews What's this?

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  • Summary: The third full-length release for the Barcelona-based Western Sahara singer-songwriter was produced by Chris Eckman.
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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 8
  2. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. Mar 1, 2016
    80
    Monoglot English speakers may have little idea what she’s singing about, but such is the passion and grace of her delivery, Brahim could be reciting the Milton Keynes telephone directory and few would object. The fact that she has an important message to share makes her performance, and this album, even more significant and impressive.
  2. Apr 13, 2016
    80
    While sonically the music does not possess the 'hard' edge of neighbouring Tuareg rock groups, there is a great fluidity in which the desert groove unfolds over spiralling guitar riffs and propulsive rhythms.
  3. Uncut
    Mar 1, 2016
    70
    If anything, it can feel a little too smoothed out, and some more grit in the production wouldn't go astray. [Apr 2016, p.71]
  4. Mar 1, 2016
    60
    Third album Abbar El Hamada continues that [broad musical] path, though it eschews the largely acoustic nature of Soutak for a more electrified outing.
  5. Mojo
    Mar 1, 2016
    60
    A gentle record that is astonishingly timely from a political perspective. [Apr 2016, p.93]
  6. 60
    It’s a buoyant sound--Brahim’s voice is too airy for drones and chants--led by rolling pieces such as Calles de Dajla and followed by slow, contemplative blues.
  7. Mar 3, 2016
    60
    The best tracks are at the end, with the bluesy Mani, featuring the Malian guitar hero Samba Touré, followed by Los Muros, a meditation on the wall built around her homeland.

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