shay hazan: reclusive rituals
Francisco Espregueira
Shay Hazan is an Israeli composer, producer, bassist & bandleader. Dropping tomorrow via Batov Records, Reclusive Rituals sees him fusing rubbery North African Gnawa grooves, with haunting jazz horns and hip hop inflected beats. This is an exciting new record, different to his previous work that includes bass contributions to Sandman Project’s breakthrough EP, Royal Family, and as leader of the Shay Hazan Quintet.
Reclusive Rituals marks Hazan’s explorations of new textures. Having already mastered the double and electric bass, he learned how to play the three-stringed Guimbri: a camel-skin-covered bass plucked lute used by the Gnawa people of North Africa. Hazan repurposes the unique qualities of the instrument with a jazz approach, clearly inspired by his introduction to the instrument, that came from watching bassist William Parker playing it live. The guimbri’s natural inclination to groove is instantly felt on the Gnawa-meets-Afrobeat first single, “Afrobeatz”, which is destined to play a large role in DJs record bags. But the laidback, beat-driven foundation of the album is present in tracks such as “Deloop” and “Pink Collar”, revealing Hazan’s affinity for hip hop and r&b. Away from the crowds, creating music that is unusual and real, Shay Hazan presents an exciting new chapter in his career. Available on vinyl.
“I made this album In order to satisfy the inner urge for simple grooves and the search for a different and new sound that draws inspiration from ancient places with great tradition but still corresponds with the world and the period in which I live and the way I express myself”