WOMAD

MoMo

From Morocco, United Kingdom

2001 BiographyMusic of Moroccan Origin, or MoMo as they are known to their increasing number of friends and fans, have emerged like a beautiful red admiral butterfly from the larvae of traditional popular Moroccan music which they used to play at weddings, parties, anything around London. They are on a mission to revive the spirit of the great Moroccan chaabi artists of the 1970s like Nass El Ghiwane or Jil Jilala but in a context of pure, unadulterated and uncompromising electronic modernity. Lahcen Lahbib, Tahar El Idrissi and Farid Nania perform like men possessed, running some blistering Moroccan melodies and percussion licks over a carefully constructed bed of funky digital beats. With their first mini-album out round about now on the Apartment 22 label, MoMo’s uplifting, forward thinking ground-breaking noise has catapulted the group on a hyperbolic path to… lord only knows where? You’ll just have to come along and watch the next chapter being written. Biography by Andy Morgan, June 20012001 Short Biography:Music of Moroccan origin (MoMo for short) are one of the new breed of North African groups who are redrawing the traditional music map. Berber, Gnawa, Chaabi and other Maghrebi musical forms are deconstructed and rebuilt around house, trance and funk rhythms.2000 Biography:Music of Moroccan Origin, or MoMo for short, are one of the new breed of North African groups who are busy redrawing the traditional music map and bringing in a whole new palette of sounds and beats. Led by percussonist Lahcen Lahbib, who also performs live with Joi (see above), Farid Nania and Tahar, the group have built up an enviable reputation in the UK for their innovative approach in which Berber, Gnawa, Chaabi and other Maghrebi musical forms are deconstructed and rebuilt around house, trance and funk rhythms. The group have trod stages in venues as diverse as The Dome, The Barbican, Cambridge Festival and the aptly named Momo’s restaurant in London. Their live shows which feature the passionate dancing of Zeyna are going from strength to strength. A special limited edition CD entitled ‘Music for Senses’ was released in summer 2000.Band's own biography June 2000:MoMo – MUSIC OF MOROCCAN ORIGINMusic 4 SensesInspired by traditional music and European club beats, MoMo create Moroccan vibz bringing Berber, Gnawa, Chaabi, rhythms together spiced up with house, trance and funk grooves in a sensual and hypnotic mix. Their charismatic chaabi dancer entices even the most inhibited to dance. The MoMo experience is unique – once tasted, forever savoured and the only thing to do is to come back for more!With appearances at the Barbican Roots and Shoots Festival, Subterania, Baguleys, the Spitz, the Trades Club Hebden Bridge, the Fridge, Portobello Festival, The Shrine, Mwalimu Express, Cambridge Festival, Africa 95, Comic Relief, Rhythms of the Street (Leeds), the TUC Respect Festival, THE Dome and much much more to their name, MoMo are much in demand. Bjork, Madonna, Dave Stewart, George Michael and other major recording artists have even been seen groovin’ to MoMo at the West End fave MoMo’s. Live sessions on London Live (BBC station for London), GLR, W10 FM and Town FM (in association with Kiss) have won MoMo fans from a wide spectrum.MoMo is on a mission to bring Moroccan vibz to music lovers from all destinations. MoMo is known for its genuine sounds – a true taste of North Africa. Invariably they are asked to come back and audiences are loath to let them go!As an electric band with the full sound MoMo keep the vibz vibrant for a dramatic dance scene. As a rootsy acoustic group MoMo (roots) create a magical chill out zone. When Zeyna, the chaabi dancer joins the band the atmosphere is charged and anything could happen! MoMo’s North African dance and music making workshops are a pleasure with special needs provision a priority.Check out MoMo for yourselves and find out why Hebden Bridge Trades club, home to internationally touring artists said "MoMo are the best live act we’ve had all year!" and Justin Adams said "It’s the best Moroccan music I’ve heard in Britain!"MoMo are on a roll! Following their outstanding gigs for the Barbican Roots and Shoots Festival and at the hallowed Shrine they are upping the stakes. Log in to www.wen.com for MoMo’s session on Charlie Gillett’s BBC London Live archives. Book your tickets for WOMAD 21st JULY! MoMo plan to release a ltd edition CD ‘MUSIC FOR SENSES’ to coincide with WOMAD and have been promised excellent promotion by the WOMAD record stall at the event. It will be available mail order and at gigs as well.MoMo is one of the hottest bands on the scene! Essential!REVIEW BY A. NEWTON (D TOUR)MoMo are obviously inspired by traditional and modern music. They are playing with it and making it fresh and exhilarating. I saw them one night and I had a rare old time MoMo go for Moroccan Vibz, they certainly groove along in a funky manner with super tight music, very original vocals in Arabic, Berber and English, and the visual experience of the traditional dancers make MoMo fun to watch, to listen to and to dance to.They’re doing something different. It’s neat, check it!""NU SKOOL CHEBS" fROOTS"Hypnotic... dynamic dance" Time Out "Best live band of the season" Hebden Bridge Trades Club"FRESH, EXHILERATING, FUN TO WATCH, TO LISTEN TO, TO DANCE TO…SOMETHING DIFFERENT"D TOUR"THEY PLAYED A BRILLIANT LIVE ACOUSTIC SET WITH THEIR ORIGINAL MUSIC" Dotun Adebayo Show GLR‘So nice to hear real Moroccan music’ Justin Adams "Eloquent" Charlie Gillett‘Somebody sign this band!’ Hamid ZagzouleMoMo are: Lahcen Lahbib – maverick percussion/drums/vocals – the powerhouse from Marrakech – a mainstay of Realworld artists Joi; The wickedest most innovative mondo /vocals ever - Farid Nania from Agadir; Tahar, percussion /sintir/voice = sweet in sound, sweet by nature; Jack Monck the bassy from East Anglia who numbers supergroup Star with Twink (Hawkwind) and Syd Barrett (the madcap himself) amongst his deep dark credits! Zeyna the charismatic yet enigmatic chaabi dancer, drawing it all together – from Monserrat.CONTACT MoMo: 020 7385 5447 (Tel/Fax) debbie@outerglobe.freeserve.co.uk