Gaïsha’s Ana Aïcha album tops World Music Charts Europe

Ana Aïcha, released on 24 March via Zephyrus Records, is one of four African/Afro-inspired projects that have made it to the Top 20 this month.

Gaïsha is a collaboration between the Belgian-Moroccan singer Aïcha Haskal and musicians from the Belgian music scene, bringing oriental and psychedelic grooves with a Brussels twist. The band’s style is characterised by a seamless interchange between Arabic chants, parlando and even rap.

In November 2022, Gaïsha dropped the title track ‘Ana Aïcha’, an ode to singer Haskal. The song is a rallying call against women oppression conveyed through a psychedelic trip with surf elements and funky tunes.

Also in the Top 10, at No 3, is Yalla Miku by Yalla Miku, a project by Geneva-based Bongo Joe Records that brings together artists from Morocco, Eritrea, Algeria and Switzerland. TwistedSoul has described the album as a genre-jumping, sonic masterpiece, writing: “[The album] draws inspiration from various cultures and genres, including gnawa, Eritrean folklore, krautrock, and electro-trance but takes them to new places.

“Their self-titled album is a powerful statement against the imposition of geographical borders, promoting free movement without danger. The tracks are militant and robust, showcasing the collective’s ability to seamlessly blend different sounds and styles. Yalla Miku’s music dissolves boundaries and creates a world where diversity is celebrated and unity is encouraged.”

At No 12 is Les Égarés released on NØ FØRMAT! that fuses West African Mandingo and European chamber traditions. The album is a product of four artists: Malian kora player Ballaké Sissoko, French cellist Vincent Segal and French saxophone-accordion duo Émile Parisien and Vincent Peirani.

Wrapping up the Top 20 is Cameroonian singer-songwriter Blick Bassy’s new album Mádibá, which sits at No. 19 on the charts. Sung in his native Bassa language, Madíbá is a collection of 10 songs in the form of fables, dedicated to the theme of water, and carried by the singer’s otherworldly voice, delicate guitar, synthesiser melodies, and sober brass arrangements.