Introduction to Hisham Khurma’s New Album
The Egyptian music author Hisham Khurma has revealed that his new album, "Horizon", was born from his inner feeling of the need for freedom from artistic restrictions. He wanted to break away from the traditional musical norms and create something unique. In his previous albums, Khurma felt that he was walking on a tightrope, avoiding excessive experiments. However, this time he decided to take a real adventure with different noises, rhythms, and cultures.
The Concept of the Album
Khurma indicated that he wanted the album to be a mixture of the common and the unexpected. He began to collect new and different musical ideas from what he presented in the past and tried to achieve a new horizon of thinking. The album contains ten pieces that mix eastern and western music in a spiritual and modern style. The music composer looked at his previous albums as stages to discover his own voice, and in "Horizon", he allowed himself a greater space of experimentation.
The Making of the Album
The first melody of the album was born four years ago, but Khurma seriously worked on the project about three years ago. The production process involved a lot of experimentation and changes, as he worked with singers and musicians from different cultures. The album features orchestral pieces, Sufi and international songs, and video clips. Khurma emphasized that the spirit of the album is inspired by the idea of a trip, be it an internal or external journey.
Musical Style and Instruments
Khurma used a variety of musical instruments, including oriental and rare machines from Asia and Africa. He defined the machines according to the nature of each piece and used electronic rhythms and "divided" in an updated form. The album is based on the idea of a "Hybrid Orchestra", which combines the traditional orchestra with a modern electronic voice. This idea gave Khurma the opportunity to create a new voice that is compatible with the nature of music.
Collaboration with Other Artists
Khurma collaborated with singers and musicians from different cultures, including a Moroccan singer, a Swedish and Lebanese singer. He introduced African, Indian, Asian, and Uruguayan instruments to create a mosaic musical of a global nature. The soul is the thread that links these multiple experiences, and Khurma concentrated on producing strong melodic sentences that are connected to the listener’s spirit.
The Role of Technology
Technology played a decisive factor in the production of the album, not only in terms of the diversity of sounds but also in the lightness of cooperation with musicians and singers from all over the world. Khurma discovered new patterns and ideas that inhabited his imagination, and technology provided him with the tools to express them.
Linguistic Diversity
Khurma emphasized the linguistic diversity in the songs, singing in French, Arabic, and other languages. He collaborated with Grandama Jaawani, who sang in the classic language of Sufi songs. Khurma tried the Sufi song with a number of singers, but he had not reached the desired feeling until he worked with Grandima Jaawani.
The Importance of Music
Khurma believes that the good artist puts his soul into the music. He considers the piece as the heart of his artistic project, and in his concerts, he would like to assert himself on the pieces, even if some singers take part in singing with him. Khurma does not feel concern about the publication of the album in the middle of a dynamics of other publications, as he regards it as a healthy and useful affair that helps artists to listen to each other and develop through positive competition.
Future Plans
Khurma is already planning to present parts of the album at his next concerts and is working on distributing sound effects to offer an overwhelming experience to the audience. He is also planning to present the album live in an upcoming ceremony in October. Additionally, Khurma has new projects that belong to unconventional cooperatives, mixed between music and visual arts, and possibly technology. A return to the soundtrack of films and dramatic projects is also very possible.
