While some music moves the body, some moves the mind, writes Salonaz Sami Since I heard them years ago at their very first public appearance at the Citadel, I have been hooked. Unlike most Egyptian underground pop bands, Nagham Masri (Egyptian Melodies) has managed to attract a wide fan-base in a relatively short time. This is largely because their music is original, different from anything else in Egypt. It is a kind that relies on words rather than beats and fine tunes. Yet, much to the disappointment of their fans, the band gives few concerts, and they refuse to perform in bars, on beaches and in similar venues. "We have a message that shouldn't be played just anywhere," says Sherbini Ahmed, lead vocalist, founder and driving force behind the band. This Ramadan, however, their fans were thrilled to hear that their favourite band would be performing at one of Cairo's most celebrated historical buildings, the Prince Seifeddin Taz Ibn Kataghag Palace in Al-Khalifah. Ramadan is associated with staying out late and visiting historical and religious places such as the Al-Hussein area where Al-Harawi, Qobat Al-Ghouri (Ghouri Caravansary) and Al-Shemi are located. The holy month is regarded as one of the most important times of the year by underground bands, who seek to expand their fan spectrum. On the day of the concert, however, it was not easy to find the palace, which is located in one of the most crowded areas of Old Cairo. The only way to reach the palace is through a tiny two-way alley called Al-Seyoufiah. That did not stop hundreds of fans queuing in front of the palace for the band's live performance last Saturday. The inspiration and lyrics behind the band's music are those of Ahmed Fouad Negm, one of Egypt's most renowned colloquial poets. Negm's words used to be sung by Sheikh Imam in the 1970s. However, Sherbini replaced Sheikh Imam's oud (lute) with drums, bass, and electric guitar to produce a cross-cultural mélange that is nothing short of magnificent. The concert was a revelation that saw a highly diverse audience embracing the rock tendencies that put the revolutionary lyrics of poets like Negm, Salah Jaheen, Amal Donkol, into a modern frame. "When a pebble falls into waves it is hardly noticed, but when it falls into a calm, still lake it creates ripples," businessman Nameer Nashaat told Al-Ahram Weekly. The Prince Taz concert was Nashaat's first encounter with Sherbini and the band. "They are way different from typical Egyptian pop bands," he said. Nashaat particularly liked the songs Haretna, "Our Alley" and Ghariba Al-Balad di. "This Odd Country" is an odd song, describing Egypt as a woman in ragged clothes yet with everyone in love with her. "They are simply innovative and they obviously respect their audience," Nashaat added. Their songs speak to the mind because they are respectful words written by amazing poets. "There is a point of view behind their work, and I fell in love with that point of view," Hatem Gad, a banker, told the Weekly. "I felt I was part of a protest. They are protesting the cultural face of Egypt." Indeed, Sherbini explained, they went on stage to protest, not to sing. According to him, the words of the poets perfectly articulate the current political, social, and cultural situation in Egypt. "They say what is not being said today," Sherbini says. He searches contemporary culture to find words that are critical and relevant to Egyptian society to negate the slump in the current musical scene. "We look for words in the age of no words in order to improve Egyptian music through our songs." For Sherbini, the composition and the tune come second to the words. The first to come on board with the band was Ossuo, or Mohamed Lotfi, Egypt's most celebrated guitar player, lead guitarist of Eftikasat, former manager with West Al-Balad, and founder of the SOS music festival. The accidental meeting between Ossuo and Sherbini brought an immediate musical understanding and led to the unique mixture of East and West that is now known as Nagham Masri. At times the two styles merge on the same track, and at others they perform separately. However, the eight- member band's music remains uniquely and genuinely Egyptian. The pace is quick and melodic, and Sherbini's warm voice, energy, optimism and infectious energy establish an instant bond with the audience. The lyrics centre on some of today's major issues. This led to the cancellation of a performance at Al-Azhar Park and the closure of the theatre on the grounds that their songs incited hate of the Egyptian regime. The cancellation led to a spontaneous march by fans in Downtown Cairo. Another unique band is Guemeza, or Sycamore, which performed last Thursday at Al-Harawi in the Al-Hussein area. The band was named after the long- lived sycamore tree, which represented immortality to the ancient Egyptians. According to Nasser El-Noubi, Sycamore's founder, the band performs traditional lyrics in a modern frame. The band was founded in 2003, upon the release of El-Noubi's book Mirror of Water, which aimed "to preserve the unique Egyptian musical identity and bring character to contemporary Egyptian music." Lead vocalist Mohamed Ismail said the lyrics were simple but the meaning deep. Although the band is not as famous as other underground bands in Egypt, it still has its own dedicated fans. Like many of their fans, Mohamed Said has been a devoted follower. He told the Weekly that one of the reasons why fans attended so many shows was that the band did not release albums. "They present a different feel of music that can only be enjoyed live," he said. Another fan said they were young and sponatneous like most of the underground bands in Egypt. Sycamore also played last Saturday at Al-Azhar Park as part of the global campaign to increase HIV/ AIDS awareness. "It is hard to gather a group of people in one place to give them lectures about this dangerous disease and its effects on society," Ismail said. "But when you tell them all the information they need to know in a concert, they will listen and pay attention." Ismail further explained the uniqueness of the Ramadan concerts, which he said were unlike any other concerts as they offered a chance to reach out to a different kind of audience. How right he is.
