SceneNoise

On our 315th Select, we have Egyptian-Kuwaiti DJ NAZ with an emotive mix of afrobeats and melodic house, titled ‘Broken Wings’. Speaking of the set, NAZ says, “This set was curated to not only help me process the loss of my twin flames but also to encourage listeners to tap into whatever it’s their soul is now going through, to hopefully bring closure to the adversity they endured.”

This week on SceneNoise’s Select series, we have a special set from Tunisian-Algerian selector and NTS resident Cheb Mimo, who has been actively pushing the traditional rhythms of North Africa - like Rai, Ganwa and Stembli - into the UK clubbing scene. His sets are a treasure trove of rare retro cassettes and vinyl records from the 80s, 90s and 2000s, a byproduct of his relentless digging through classic disco, funk and drum n bass.

For Select 314, Cheb Mimo cooked up a chill groovy mix of downtempo and Rai music that bursts with uplifting melodies, featuring tunes by legendary artists like Cheb Hasni and Jean Baptiste.

This edition of our Select series comes courtesy of Beirut-based DJ, producer and percussionist Julian Naman, aka JOOL. Inspired by his parents’ extensive music collection, he started producing tracks at the early age of 14, merging various sounds, from jazz, hip-hop and ambient, to progressive rock, techno and house. He has performed alongside a slew of prominent international artists, including Dasha Rush, Ion Ludwig and Answer Code Request, traversing prestigious dancefloors at B018, Ballroom Blitz, Paris’ Sputnik and Athens’ The Place.

Speaking of his Select set, JOOL says, “This set was born out of the challenging times we face in the region, where stress and uncertainty feel overwhelming. It’s a reflection of that journey - an offering of love, a message of unity through sound.”

This week on SceneNoise’s Select podcast, we have WAN, a Berlin-based Egyptian selector and the founder of the newly-launched Delete Collective, which recently made its debut at the famed Club OST.

Deeply influenced by the disarming rave energy of Berlin’s underground scene and hypnotic deep techno vibes, WAN brings a hard groove techno set, featuring driving basslines, minimalistic waveforms and razor-sharp transitions.

Egyptian multi-instrumentalist and live electronic act Chiati has become a staple across clubs and festivals across the region in recent years - armed with an unmissable set that combines blissfully timed drops, soulful riffs, melodic rhythms and touching falsetto, expertly performed between keys, guitar, vocals and the charisma of a veritable rockstar.

For the first episode of the new season of #SceneNoise’s long running stream series Houseplant Chiati gives us a taste of his new sound set to hit dance floors this year. Featuring mostly unreleased music, nestled in the confines of a lush Cairean greenhouse, we journey between highly danceable afro house to arab house anthems.

Youssef Yasser has come up as one of Cairo’s youngest and most talented selectors, making appearances on several international airwaves like the NTS radio show, France’s Rinse, as well as a multitude of prominent party series across the city’s nightlife scene.

For the second episode of the new season of SceneNoise’s long-running stream series, Houseplant, Yousser treats us to a spin-off on the sound he previously embraced with a heart-pumping mix of 90s electro, house and breaks that demonstrates his refined crate-digging style. (Look out for a special surprise at the end of the set).

Houseplant 023 | Azzouni by SceneNoise

In this episode of SceneNoise’s Select series, Cairo-based DJ and producer Mahib performs a live set of his own productions, a blend of electrifying mahraganat and EDM beats, with a ting of hip-hop and emotionally driven rhythms.

The set takes us on a throbbing journey through the bustling sounds of Cairo, featuring echo-laden vocal samples, synthesised instrumental melodies, and pumping edits of classic shaabi tunes.

This Saturday on Select, we have Alaa Jazaeri. Emerging from Riyadh’s vibrant underground scene, he established himself as one of Saudi Arabia’s top-rated DJs, landing spots at major events like Sandstorm Festival and Freaks of Nature.

Jazaeri is also the founder of Narratives, a storytelling music platform, curating mixtape podcasts and a series of dynamic events across the Kingdom, Canada and Lebanon, that saw global headliners like Nick Curly, Dolby, Violent Sentir and Gorge.

For our Select 311, Jazaeri brings a carefully curated soulful groovy set, blending dreamy and minimal vibes with funk and jazz-infused deep house melodies, featuring soothing and chill tunes by international bands and producers like Mara Lakour and Jesse Maas.

Egyptian experimentalist and Kafr El Dawar Records co-founder YUNIS is set to premiere ‘The Partridge Bird’, an evocative track from his latest project, ‘Opera for 1000 Crows’ (*الحجلة). This exclusive release offers an early glimpse into the sonic landscape of the performance, blending live electronics, cello, voice, and toys to explore the paradox between grief and celebration.

‘The Partridge Bird’ embodies the thematic essence of ‘Opera for 1000 Crows’, drawing inspiration from a traditional funeral dance ritual in Upper Egypt and Delta villages. This limping movement, performed by women around graves, mirrors the motion of crows, creatures deeply tied to burial myths in Islamic traditions. The track encapsulates this duality, transforming it into a haunting, funeralistic soundscape that bridges life and death.

Following the track premiere, ‘Opera for 1000 Crows’ will make its full debut on February 13 at the French Institute in Cairo, marking YUNIS’ first performance of the project in Egypt after extensive touring in Europe. The show, an interactive experience incorporating poetry recitations and experimental vocal performances by YUNIS himself, will create a meditative space for reflection, healing, and solidarity.

With this premiere, YUNIS not only introduces audiences to his latest sonic exploration but also sets the stage for what promises to be a groundbreaking artistic experience. ’Opera for 1000 Crows’ will continue its journey with a second performance scheduled for April at the French Institute in Alexandria.