When you hear the music of Guem unravelling in a percussive flurry of golden organic rhythms, its easy to understand why he has become known as the “man with the golden hands” and the “musician with a thousand fingers”. Celebrated and revered for his work as a percussionist, Abdelmadjid Guemguem, better known as Guem, created his rhythmic magic for over 40 years.
Algerian-born, Guem made his home in Paris in the late 1960’s (a place he considered to be the “most beautiful city in the world”). Moving there to become a professional footballer, he instead discovered that his world revolved around his passion for music and his direction in life completely changed. Before he knew it he was introducing his crazy African rhythmical patterns to the European Avant Garde jazz scene of the 70’s (Michel Portal, Steve Lacy…). His experimentation with rhythm was both pioneering and mind-expanding!
In 1978 he released the album Guem Et Zaka Percussion, and it was this from record that he gained the name Guem et Zaka. He was known as Guem from there on in! This LP also features today’s song, Le Serpent. which I must say is absolutely glorious! So many textures, sounds and layers and so mesmerising and inviting. If, like me, you love rhythm, then this whole album is something I can WHOLLY recommend and for convenience, I’ve pasted it below!! Enjoy!
thelisteningpostblog.wordpress.com 