1 Maâlem Mahmoud Gania

Sidi Mimoun

(Sonya Disque)

“A cult recording that captures the hypnotic power of the gimbri and the depth of ancestral Gnawa chants. The slow, progressive rhythms transport the listener into a true spiritual trance,” says Benaddi of gimbri great, Gania (his name is also anglicised as Guinia and Ghania). Gania came from an illustrious family, his father a master Gnawa musician and his mother a famed clairvoyant. He died in 2015, and his final studio recordings, released as Colours Of The Night (2017), are also recommended.

2 Maâlem Abdelkebir Merchane

Gnawa All Stars

(MLP, 2011)

Born in 1951 in Marrakech, Merchane devoted himself to the gimbri from the age of nine; his unique style is both hypnotic and melodic, percussive and driving. A respected Gnawa ambassador, he leads the group Oulad Sidi H’mou and has done much to popularise the genre outside of Morocco. “This Essaouira master delivers a vibrant and nuanced interpretation of sacred repertoires. The chants resonate as a tribute to the memory of the ancestors and healing rituals,” says Benaddi.

3 Maâlem Abdeslam Alikane

Gnawa of Marrakesh

Founder and artistic director of the Gnaoua and World Music Festival in Essaouira, Alikane is a top exponent of blending Gnawa traditional music with other global genres. A staple of international festivals, he is acknowledged as a tireless promotor of Gnawa culture. “An intimate, authentic recording highlighting the purity of playing and the depth of incantations. It reflects the soul of Marrakesh and the power of lila [spiritual ceremony] nights.”

4 Maâlem Hamid El Kasri

Gnawa Soul

An essential figure in modern Gnawa, Hamid El Kasri began studying gimbri at the age of seven. A virtuoso with a style that merges north and south rhythms, his performance alongside Austrian jazz giant Joe Zawinul at the 2004 Gnaoua and World Music Festival of Essaouira was a defining moment of modern Gnawa. “An album that combines tradition with vocal virtuosity. Hamid El Kasri masters the art of modulation, giving each piece a unique emotional intensity.”

5 Maâlem Abdelmajid Domnati

Les Maîtres du Guembri

Hailing from Tangier, Domnati has earned a reputation for his mesmerising performances on the world stage. A multi-instrumentalist, vocalist and sublime gimbri player, his ability to weave enthralling patterns and rhythms marks him as one of the very best. He is also leader of the group, Gnawa Express. “A rare testimony of the Gnawa tradition, where the gimbri’s powerful groove blends with precise percussion. The chants sound like a mystical call.”

6 Maâlem Mustapha Bakbou

Ben hssine

(MLP, 1986)

An early pioneer in Gnawa fusion, Bakbou rose to fame during the 1970s as a member of legendary group, Jil Jilala. Committed to the preservation of traditional spirit, Bakbou (who passed away in September this year) also collaborated with Marcus Miller, Pat Metheny and Eric Legnini. “A foundational album exploring the deep roots of Gnawa, carried by a percussive style and an enchanting deep voice. Transmission of knowledge is felt in every note.”

7 Maâlem Mokhtar Gania & Bill Laswell

Tagnawwit: Holy Black Gnawa Trance

(M.O.D. Technologies, 2016)

A leading figure in the new generation of Gnawa players, Mokhtar Gania excels in fusing Maghreb sounds with West African rhythms, bringing a new energy to Gnawa while still reflecting its traditional values and purpose. Grandson of Maâlem Ba Massaoud, and son of Maâlem Boubker Gania, Mokhtar Gania carries the spirit of Gnawa in his blood. “This album captures the atmosphere of a ritual night. The intensity mirrors the trance ceremonies.”

8 Maâlem Saïd Boulhimas

Gnawa Live in Essaouira

Born in Mogador (now Essaouira), a city renowned for its gimbri players, Boulhimas’ journey into music began as a luthier in the workshop of the renowned Maâlem Seddik Laarch, learning to carve instruments even before he began playing them. Winner of the Festival des Jeunes Talents Gnaoua in 2006, he remains one of the leading lights of the modern scene. “A live album capturing the raw energy of an open-air performance. Interaction between musicians and audience gives the music an organic, powerful character.”

9 Maâlem Hmida Boussou

Les Gnaoua de Casablanca

Respected as much for his spiritual leadership as his exceptional skills on the gimbri, the late Boussou is another musician who did much to keep the Gnawa scene fresh and alive, broadening the genre to embrace elements of jazz and blues, while remaining devoted to its sacred traditions. “This album shines a light on the Casablanca Gnawa scene, with a more urban style while staying faithful to traditions. The rhythms are dense and incantatory.”

10 Maâlem Allal Soudani

Essaouira Gnaoua Spirit

Famed musician and teacher who passed away in 2024, Soudani was an ardent champion of the preservation of Gnawa cultural heritage, one of the undisputed master musicians whose legacy can’t be overstated. He was also a charismatic speaker – a historian as eloquent with words as he was with his music. “A tribute to the blue city, home to many masters. The album breathes the sea, spirituality and communion between musicians and audience.”