by Debruit & Alsarah
Soundway and Shock Records present Aljawal (The Traveller) - a unique record and a modern, haunting take on Sudanese music heard through the sonic lens of French artist/producer Débruit (real name Xavier Thomas) and the poetic, ethereal lyrics and melodies of Sudanese-born singer Alsarah Aljawal (The Traveller) is a nomadic reflection for the 21st century. Each song reflects a new stop in the journey, with new cities and new people along the way. When Alsarah first heard Débruit's music she recognised a fellow traveller through the space and geography of his influences, a sense of time and history coupled with a forward-thinking futuristic outlook.
Xavier Thomas revealed Débruit in 2008 with two sold out 12”s for his and Fulgeance’s Parisian “Musique Large” imprint. Three more EPs on Civil Music followed, including his hit 'Nigeria What'. Piquing interest from the likes of XLR8R, Fact Mag, Benji B and Gilles Peterson, his debut album From The Horizon released last year. His dazzling live electronics show has taken him around the world, from Russia to New York, Glastonbury to Sonar.
On Aljawal, Debruit has managed to capture and play with an analogue sound that stretches the boundaries of the Sudanese rhythms and melodies that Alsarah had grown up with. A unique record was imagined and is finally presented here after a two year interplay of ideas and interaction between France and Brooklyn.
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