www.globalgrooves.com.au/yalla/

Phil Carroll:quartertone accordion, ney ,mijwiz, mizmar , vocals.
Ernie Gruner:violin
Phil Gunther:oud
Maria Sangiorgi:percussion,vocals
Andrew Kuhlmann:percussion
Michael Kontokristos:percussion

Yalla was formed in 1997 by Maria Sangiorgi, Andrew Kuhlmann and myself (Phil Carroll). It has now grown to six vibrant, dedicated and highly skilled players.An important ritual is our weekly coffees, chats and rehearsals. We are in it for the long haul and we want to show respect for this complex and subtle music.Thus it has taken 3 years for our first recording.It is a labour of love.
My attraction to oriental music began in the central Australian desert where I lived for 10 years.The space and peace of the desert led me to explore Eastern music and later play it with a band at Ayers Rock Resort.When coming to the big smoke of Melbourne in '93 I linked up with musicians such as Alfie Massoud, John Norton and Brahim Benhim.My passion for the Eastern sound deepened during my travels in '98 to the Middle-East with The Breezes Of Anatolia Turkish ensemble and subsequent studies in Egypt, Turkey and Morocco where I collected and studied the ney and Oriental makams.
After playing with Ta'esh Fa'esh for a few years with Maria, we formed Yalla! with Andrew .
MAKAMS
are scales containing sections, each with a different predominant tone and finishing tone.Each makam contains certain melodic passages and an emotional character.Thus two different makams may have the same notes but are played differently.
Our music moves against the 'judid' (new) as embodied by the 'ughniyah' (pop song) with its simplistic instruments (eg. synthesizer) and simplified makams and rhythms.

THE INSTRUMENTS
oud : a fretless plucked short-necked half pear shaped lute:"the sultan of musical instruments"
violin : we use the standard western instrument,similar to the folk violin ('kemenche').
piano accordion: has been used in Arab countries for the last 100 years or so.It is tuned (as I did to mine) using quartertones ( approximately half way between a flat and a natural).
ney : end-blown flute of different lengths made from the 'calamus' reed (grown especially on the Nile). I collected my set from makers in Egypt and Turkey.
mizmar: (Ar.)or zorna(Turk.): a precursor to the oboe (but much louder!) using a double-reed for blowing.
mijwiz : two bamboo pipes tied together each with a single vibrating reed fashioned on the end.
req: single-headed tambourine (with cymbals).
muzhar : a large req.
duf: a single-headed tambour (no cymbals).
darabukah or tabla (Ar.): a single-headed goblet shaped drum made from clay or spun metal.
tabul: a large double-sided bass skin drum held around the players neck and played with a thick stick on one side and a thin one on the other.
sagat (Ar.) or zills(Turk.): copper castanets.
ABOUT THE BAND:
Yalla has performed at many festivals including Port Fairy and The Melbourne International as well as parties and many shows of our own .At present we are a regular band at local Brunswick cafe 'Katcouta' run by Egyptian chef Mohammad Osman and wife (and dancer) Andrea. Thus our music is sounding and evolving in the geographical heart of Turkish and Arabic culture in Melbourne .


Maria writes:
To me , dance has so much to offer as an art and a way of being that promotes health and vitality. It is Yoga, Alexander Technique, meditation and a joyful natural expression of the human form, where the music and dancer are one.
Phil and I share a passion for Middle Eastern music. We have spent hours listening and discussing the intricacies, moods and feelings of our shared passions.
This CD is a credit to Phil and the other members of the band , who are more than just a band...with devotion and love we have created this CD.
Happy listening and happy dancing.
Blessings
Maria


Recording and mixing:Siiri Metsar-Fortissimo ,April 2000
Mastering :Martin Pullen-Edensound.