Biography
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Years Active
2012 – present (11 years)
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Founded In
Leeds, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom
Songs of old, recorded new by a band from Cairo, Egypt specially assembled by Alan Bishop (member of legendary American band Sun City Girls and co-owner of the world famous Sublime Frequencies label, aka Alvarius B). Songs projected through Bishop's typically dark songwriting lens, animated by a band of brilliant musicians from Cairo and brought to life by group dynamics and a special sets of circumstances. Be sure to see where you can. The band are playing shows in North Africa and the Middle East before venturing into new territories to regale audiences.
Two years in the making, one of music's natural mavericks has delivered something easy to babble about but hard to deliver - a perfect set of pop songs, a hand crafted suite of music that is uncannily familiar yet deliciously alien and unreal. That rare thing… a classic album. These songs were written by Bishop years ago and were all but lost: now their time has come, made glorious flesh by this alluringly transgressive band American/Egyptian project. Bishop's songs are sung by both himself and two former members of the Egyptian band Eskenderella. In fact two separate albums will be released - one in English and one in Arabic.
The songs are drenched in lovely psychedelic folk arrangements and vocal choruses; catchy, dreamy refrains swim in the mix with potent and sinister acoustics… it's an album that could have surfaced decades ago, such is its richness. Imagine the spiked psych pop nuggets of Love's Forever Changes to get a hang on the swirl of delirious and devious that pervades with The Invisible Hands. The album also synchs a little with the 2011's Alvarius B record Baroque Primitiva; but with even more melody, space and fidelity.
The lyric sheet is awash with loaded imagery, with Bishop drawing upon ancient symbols, warped myths and weird folklore. But this album is not just a period piece - it seems to be right on time, as if the now and the future have superimposed itself upon these tracks. The historic and tumultuous times, post Arab Spring, the album was created in has added extra dimensions to this golden curveball of a project.
The Invisible Hands is the English translation of the band's original Egyptian Arabic name, El Ayadi El Khafeyya, and tool almost two years to create amidst an unusual and challenging backdrop. The group was established during the summer of 2011 and the album was recorded in Cairo in May of 2012. Band members include Cherif El Masri and Aya Hemeda (both former members of Eskenderella) with drummer Magued Nagati. Deveral other players from the Cairo scene are featured on various songs including Sam Shalabi (Shalabi Effect/Land of Kush) on oud, and Mohamed Medhat on violin and viola.
The English language CD version of the album is out on Abduction. An Arabic language CD version is only be available to purchase in the Middle East. Both English and Arabic language versions are available for digital download and both versions together will be available as a limited edition 2-LP.
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