BUZZ, RATTLE & SCRATCH: GRAINY TIMBRES OF MOROCCAN MUSIC - MOROCCAN TAPE STASH (RIAFC172)
- May 5
- 2 min read
Musical styles across Morocco span a vast field of genres and a dizzying variety of instrumental and vocal textures. One aspect that delights me across these styles is the presence of grainy timbres - buzzy drums, raspy flutes, scratchy fiddles, rattling guinbris - vibrating in ways that drive uninitiated sound engineers crazy. Sometimes the grainy instruments contrast with clear-toned instruments (plucked strings, struck metal, or non-snared drums). Sometimes multiple grainy timbres combine for a buzz-scratch overload! This mix presents a smattering of grainy musical goodness from across the Moroccan landscape and soundscape.
-Tim Abdellah Fuson, Moroccan Tape Stash, May 2026
Moroccan Tape Stash is dedicated to unearthing rare Moroccan cassette tapes and celebrating the vibrant, hard-to-find sounds of North African musical heritage.
TRACKLIST
1. Rouicha رويشة, Âfak Alhwa Hda 'Liya, Nari 'La Ezzine Halkni B-Nekhwa عَفَاكْ ألهْوا هْدَا عْليَّ نَارِي عْلَى الزِينْ هْلَكْنيِ بالنَخْوَة(Moroccan Tape Stash Remix 2026) (excerpt), Tichkaphone cassette TCK 790 (1980's). Style: Zayane. Region: Khenifra. Buzz factor: bendir (frame drum with snare)
2. Mustapha Oumguil مصطفى آومڭيل, Tarbat Ighodan تربات اغودان (excerpt), Tarbat Ighodan (2007). Style: Zayane. Region: Khenifra. Buzz factor: bendir
3. Najmat Errif نجمة الريف, Gham Acham Ighar (excerpt), Atlas Music cassette 10/00 (2000). Style: Riffi. Region: Rif. Buzz factor: bendir, gasba (reed flute)
4. Cheikh Hamed bel Hadj Hamadi ben Allal and Ensemble, Aaouad dial Azrheung-ng'n (Moroccan Tape Stash Remix 2026), Music of the Beni Bouifrour Tribe (Music of Morocco: The Paul Bowles Moroccan music collection of the American Folklife Center (1957-1989). Style: Riffi Region: Segangan (Zghanghane) - Nador. Buzz factor: zamar (double reed pipe with bull's horns), bendir.
5. Bnate Houara بنات هوارة, Lbarani Fbled Ennas (Moroccan Tape Stash Remix 2026), Sawt el Mounadi cassette 73 (early 1990's). Style: Houariyate. Region: Marrakech. Buzz factor: bendir, taarija (small goblet drum with snare)
6. Noujoum Al-Asala Al-Âmriya نجوم الآصالة العميرية, [untitled], Ain Asserdoun Disque cassette AAD 17 (2004). Style: Âbidat Errma. Region: Beni Mellal. Buzz factor: bendir, taarija
7. Lamrani Abderrahim العمراني عبد الرحيم, Mnuaat Chaabia منوعات شعبية (excerpt), Mnuaat Chaabia منوعات شعبية (Fassiphone cassette, 1990s). Style: Hamadcha. Region: Meknes Buzz factor: gwal (large goblet drum with snare)
8. Mohammed Lâaouina محمد لعوينة, Al Buwwab (part 1) البواب, Mohammed Lâouina, Bouchâib al-Bahlouli, & Ahmed Weld Lâmriya محمد لعوينة, بوشعيب البهلولي, احمد ولد العمرية (Sawt Loriga cassette 5, 1980s). Style: Jilala. Region: El Jdida. Buzz factor: bendir, gasba, vocal
9. Hmida Boussou حميد بوصو, Bangora Bangor / Amara Momadi, Gnawa Leila Vol. 1 (Al Sur CD, 1993) Style: Gnawa. Region: Casablanca. Buzz factor: sersara (metal shaker plate that sits atop the guinbri bass banjo and vibrates sympathetically)
10. Ustad Massano Tazi التازي مصانو, Touchia Istihlal توشية الإستهلال, Maroc: Musique Classique Andalouse De Fès (Ocora CD, 1998). Style: Âala (Arab Andalusian). Region: Fes. Buzz factor: rebab (bowed lute)
11. Rais Lhoucine Amntag الرايس الحسين امنتاڭ, [untitled], Milodisk cassette MDK1061 (1980s). Style: Amarg Souss. Region: Souss. Buzz factor: rrbab (single-stringed horsehair fiddle)
12. Hassan Dariouki & Makhloufia حسن الدريوكي والمخلوفية, Mul Shi'ba مول الشعبة, Aatiphone cassette 20 (1980s). Style: Âita Haouzia. Region: Marrakech. Buzz factor: kamanja (viola), taarija, vocal
13: Shikh El Houcine el Khouribgui الشيخ لاحسين الخريبڭي, Zaeria, Âandak Diî عندك ديع (Hicham Atlas cassette 15, 1980's). Style: Âita Zaeria. Region: Khouribga. Buzz factor: kamanja, bendir
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