Dur-Dur Band Int. - The Berlin Session
In the last decade many early recordings of Somalia's Funk, Soul and Disco scene
have been reissued, fnding their way into the vinyl collections of music fans
outside the Somali community, as well as radio and streaming playlists. But this
record is different.
'The Berlin Session' by Dur-Dur Band Int. is not a reissue; it is the first new studio
recording by a full group from Somalia since the country's golden era of music
ended three decades ago. 'The Berlin Session' captures a historic reunion which
took place in Germany's capital in 2019: Dur-Dur Band Int. together with legendary
singers Xabiib Sharaabi (who lives in exile in Sweden), Cabdinuur Alaale (from
Djibouti) and London-based Fadumina Hilowle. Previously heard on reissues such
as the Grammy-nominated compilation 'Sweet As Broken Dates', these are living
representatives of a distinct era. There may be over three decades between the
original and new recordings but 'The Berlin Session' is proof that Somali music is
hot, funky and alive - again.