On Thursday night, I had the pleasure of going to Joe’s Pub with Alisha, Bassem and Ramez. I had no clue what to expect, but when B told me that Shusmo was a Palestinian band that mixed Arabic beats and Jazz, I was sold. Shusmo is Arabic for Whatchamacallit and I don’t know whatchacall their genre of music, but I haven’t heard stuff this good in a while.
What I loved the most were the different levels of movement and style within each track. There wasn’t a moment of redundancy. I found the music deep and creative and there was an element to it that touched my soul. The traditional Arabic sounds that came from the clarinet and the buzuq- or lute- took me back to nights in Lebanon and Jordan. But the fact that this band’s music is so far from traditional is what made me love it. Anytime that bongo-like drum comes out, I’m pretty much done for. I was about to jump out of my chair my booty was shaking so much and after a glass of wine, my shoulders and head couldn’t help but join in.
I need to see this band again, but next time in a place where they play for longer and I have room to dance the night away.
06/28/11 >> 
