Morîk

This is a fascinating debut album from a group of exiled Middle Eastern musicians, mostly Kurdish, who are now based in Istanbul. The five musicians, with some assistance from Snarky Puppy's Michael League on bass and production duties, dive into the archives to revive songs that have lain forgotten on wax cylinders and discs for more than a hundred years. Originally recorded by German and Austrian explorers in the early 20th century, the nine songs here resurrect the lives of the Kurdish people of the time. ‘Lo Şivano’, a woman's cry for her beloved shepherd (şivano) to return to her, is lent more weight by one of the homesick musicians missing a brother and cousin, both named Şivan. ‘De Çêkin’ is a lively wedding song in a 10/16 rhythm meant to accompany a koçeri dance whose steps are inspired by the movements of birds, and ‘Gire Sira’ is a love story between a Muslim and Christian, a joyful example of coexistence originating from the cultural melting pot town of Gîrêsirâ (Balpınar in Turkish).

Beyond that fascinating musical archaeology of the album, all the pre-sale proceeds were donated to the nonprofit organisation DOZ International, which is working to provide long-term support for the victims of the Turkey/Syria earthquakes.

Morîk translates as ‘Pearl’ and indeed this feels like a small unassuming artefact that has been polished and turns out to be something quite special.