The viola-slinging singer Âbdelaziz Stati has been a big star in Morocco since the mid 1980's. According to Yala's bio, he hails from El Jadida, just south of Casablanca on the Atlantic coast of Morocco. I picked up this tape in 2012, but it looks pretty vintage - I'm guessing late '80s or early '90s.
Stati's brand of chaâbi has always remained close to traditional âita and folk forms and textures, even in times days when rai and synth sounds pervade chaabi-ville. Here's Stati ca. 2009, working it at the humongous Mawazine festival in Rabat:
The name "Stati" apparently comes from the number 6, referring to Stati's left hand, which sports 6 fingers.
The "heavyweight" title of this post comes from the song "Wakel Chareb Na3ess" by Morocco's #1 rock band Hoba Hoba Spirit, which features Stati. Jarra comes from the word jarr (to pull), and refers to the way the viola is played - upright, with the bow pulled percussively.Stati Âbdelaziz - Sawt Chaouia cassette
01) Wahda fat'ha lik
02) Al-wasiya ma darti-hash
03) Sidi Âllal ben Âbdellah
04) Gherrebouk
05) Hebb Shaâbi
Get it all here.
Lots of Stati available at Amazon or at Yala.
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