"Narrative Summit" Releases 2025 Recommendations to Cement Egypt's Position as a Global Tourism Destination    Egypt, S.Arabia step up trade ties through coordination council talks    Egypt reviews progress on $200m World Bank-funded waste management hub    Egypt urges Israel to accept Gaza deal amid intensifying fighting    Egypt, ADIB explore strategic partnership in digital healthcare, investment    SCZONE, Tokyo Metropolitan Government sign MoU on green hydrogen cooperation    Egypt welcomes international efforts for peace in Ukraine    Al-Sisi, Macron reaffirm strategic partnership, coordinate on Gaza crisis    Contact Reports Strong 1H-2025 on Financing, Insurance Gains    Egypt, India's BDR Group in talks to establish biologics, cancer drug facility    AUC graduates first cohort of film industry business certificate    Egyptian pound down vs. US dollar at Monday's close – CBE    Egypt's FM, Palestinian PM visit Rafah crossing to review Gaza aid    Egypt prepares unified stance ahead of COP30 in Brazil    Egypt recovers collection of ancient artefacts from Netherlands    Egypt harvests 315,000 cubic metres of rainwater in Sinai as part of flash flood protection measures    Egypt, Namibia explore closer pharmaceutical cooperation    Fitch Ratings: ASEAN Islamic finance set to surpass $1t by 2026-end    Renowned Egyptian novelist Sonallah Ibrahim dies at 88    Egyptian, Ugandan Presidents open business forum to boost trade    Al-Sisi says any party thinking Egypt will neglect water rights is 'completely mistaken'    Egypt's Sisi warns against unilateral Nile measures, reaffirms Egypt's water security stance    Egypt's Sisi, Uganda's Museveni discuss boosting ties    Egypt, Huawei explore healthcare digital transformation cooperation    Egypt's Sisi, Sudan's Idris discuss strategic ties, stability    Egypt to inaugurate Grand Egyptian Museum on 1 November    Greco-Roman rock-cut tombs unearthed in Egypt's Aswan    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



A little bit of Spanish love
Published in Daily News Egypt on 14 - 08 - 2011

Outfitted in funky-ethnic jewelry, dreadlocks, and a bohemian aura — Spanish singer Araceli Muñoz and her band, Ara Musa Honra, entertained Cairenes with musical messages of love and positivity this past Thursday at Al-Azhar Park's Geneina Theater.
The concert was the opening performance of Al Mawred Al Thaqafy's annual Hayy festival.
Before interviewing the band hours before the concert, I was uncertain as what to expect of the supposed “Spanish-Reggae-Rumba” band — yet another contrived attempt of cross category fusion?
Fortunately, Ara Musa Honra is anything but contrived. The seven-man band has an intoxicating chemistry and bountiful sound that engages listeners while breaking the mold of traditional Latin music.
Araceli, or Ara for short, told Daily News Egypt: “Our music is not political; it's not about fighting and the ugliness in the world. On the contrary, we discuss love, happiness, and beauty. Our music is a form of escape from the otherwise harsh realities of life.
“These days, most musicians are singing about socio-political issues, we focus on the good in life, the little things — friendship, a passing smile, a cold beer and of course, love! Love, love, love!”
The Madrid-based band, which was officially formed in 2008, has performed over 140 concerts and has received notable accolade not only in Spain, but in other European countries as well.
Ara Musa Honra recently released their first six-track EP, “Musarañas” (Daydreams) and has already received various awards in contests such as the Trebu Festival of Musicians in Trebujena, Cádiz and the TresAguas Pop Music in Madrid.
“I named the EP ‘Musarañas' because I wrote the lyrics in a state of dreaming, day dreaming in fact,” Muñoz said. “Dreaming is one of the most beautiful aspects of life and something that should be celebrated. That, and simply recording my first album, was a dream in itself.”
With Muñoz in the lead, the band is comprised of reggae-inspired hand percussionist Antonio Monedero and bass guitarist Alejandro Vedea. Drummer Juan Pedro Moragues, pianist Derardo Santiago and electric guitarist NassuBowa bring forth a rock influence while Spanish guitarist Enrique Redondo seasons the sound with flamenco.
“We are all multi-influenced musicians,” Santiago said. “Everyone has a unique way of playing their instrument. Each member brings forth their own style, our sounds meeting along the way.”
Muñoz added, “When I make a song, I think Reggae!” Bass guitarist, Vedea quickly agreed. This exchange exemplifies the band's peculiar marriage of styles.
With Spanish guitar acting as their guided light and wooden bar stools as their percussions, the hotel bar where this interview was conducted came to life with an impromptu performance of Ara's hit single, “Pa Volar” (To Fly).
Later that evening, local music lovers were privy to a 15-song stimulating performance under a starlit sky in the open-air theater of Al-Azhar Park.
While each song has a distinctive Spanish tone, the band uses fiery reggae-Latin-grunge polyrhythms with contrastingly cool, dynamic vocals different from traditional Rumba music.
Despite the obvious language barrier of the Spanish singing Muñoz, the band's diverse musical backgrounds and engaging stage presence had audience members clapping, dancing, and tapping a toe.
Often while introducing the next song (in Spanish), Muñoz would give up realizing the language hurdle and simply shout, “I love you! I love you Egypt,” to a swaying and cheering audience.
The set list included an array of musical genres, most notably: reggae, grunge-rock, flamenco, and the occasional rap. The flamenco influence, however, can be heard distinctively through the leisurely curling harmonic lines of the Spanish guitar and the melisma of Muñoz's singing.
The guitar-centric tracks seem to channel Carlos Santana, yet the overall sound is distinguished by a reggae-tone that bleeds through most of the music.
Muñoz kept the crowd entranced with her bouncy reggae-salsa dance moves and interactions with the Nassu Bowa; his lyrical electric guitar seemed to sing back to her, generating a playful tension-filled dialogue between the two musicians.
Co-coordinator of the festival, Charles Akl said, “I think the audience was really happy [with the performance]. The band had a notably great spirit which is the most important aspect of a live concert.”
Singing or speaking, Ara Musa Honra has a motivational message to send to the human spirit — all you truly need is love. They speak a language through their music that people can understand in any country, any language.
Ara Musa Honra's music can be found on the band's website: http://www.aramusahonra.com/


Clic here to read the story from its source.