Amira Saqati

A side project of the Moroccan dub/trance/trad music group Aisha Kandisha's Jarring Effects, featuring four members of the band, who are augmented by several "Agdal-Garden All Stars" on their 1995 release, Agdal Reptiles on Majoun. They construct interesting amalgams of traditional Moroccan sounds with New Order-type sampling, Bronxish rap beats, and blasts of synthesizers and other sound effects. Synthesizers and samplers sit alongside violins, mandolin, flute, rai-type vocals, and some electronic rhythms. It's not as good as Aisha Kandisha's best works—the beats in particular can sound too much like hackneyed Western dance music. It's interesting stuff, though, taking constant unpredictable musical turns.