Doc Jazz, Palestinian singer-songwriter in the Netherlands, has released his new CD "Front Door Key", produced by Forrest Thomas (world hit with "Rock the Boat" in 1983) and also featuring an array of predominantly American musicians living in Europe. The title refers to the front door key of their original home in Palestine, that remains a tangible symbol of return for many Palestinian refugee families. The music features a rhythmical and jazzy pop sound, with thought-provoking lyrics about life, love and war from the Palestinian perspective. This ground-breaking album, with its catchy sound, is unique in its way of calling attention to the painful history of the Palestinian people. The songs can be streamed online, and video clips are available of live performances.
Amsterdam (PRWEB) June 17, 2007 -- Doc Jazz, musician of Palestinian origin and living in the Netherlands, on June 2nd has released his first professionally produced album, Front Door Key, featuring his unique trademark blend of pop and smooth jazz. Producer of the CD is Forrest Thomas, well-known and gifted vocalist of Texan origin, who has been residing in the Netherlands since the early eighties. In 1983, Forrest became world famous through his evergreen hit "Rock the Boat."
Doc Jazz's real name is Tariq Shadid (38), surgeon by profession, but also well-known in the Netherlands for his advocacy of the Palestinian cause on radio, TV and printed media.
The title of the CD, Front Door Key, refers to the key to the front door of their home in Palestine that Palestinian refugees (more than 800,000) were expelled from at gunpoint in 1948. This key often has remained the most important family heirloom among refugee families. It signifies their determination to hold on to their inalienable right of return to their homeland, Palestine.
The Musical Intifadah, Doc Jazz's musical internet project for music for human rights, has been running online for almost 7 years now. Front Door Key signifies a departure from those amateur demos that were so popular on the website over the years, but were basically the home-made musical sketches through which Doc Jazz wrote and published his songs. Front Door Key, however, is definitely an end product, in terms of finishing, mastering and song arrangements.
Featuring songs like Intifadah, Castles in the Sky, Positive Effect and Home, the album completely defies the chronological order in which the songs were composed and published. 'Time Out', the last song on the album, was even written in 1989. Numbering 12 songs in total, this CD allows for a good hour of funky, melodic music with sometimes biting, and sometimes subtle lyrics. The sound of the production is contemporary in its mixing and mastering, but does have a hint of vintage in terms of its musical arrangements, sometimes reminiscent of Motown grooves and beats. Those familiar with Doc's demos, will also notice that the essential character of the songs has remained unchanged.
Although the self-taught Doc Jazz plays quite a variety of instruments, as can be heard in his online demo songs which he recorded in his home studio, his role on the CD in terms of performance is limited to lead vocals, guitar, keyboard and arrangements. On the song Intifadah, he also plays the traditional short Palestinian flute, the shibbabeh. Other artists who contributed their skills to the album are Michelle David (backing vocals), Susanne Alt (alto saxophone), Eddie Conard (percussion), Keith Keyes (bass) and Ward Veenstra (guitar, keyboards and engineering). Forrest Thomas, the producer, also contributed some backing vocals on the album. All songs were written and composed by Doc Jazz.
Front Door Key not only offers world citizens a ground-breaking and original way of becoming familiar with the Palestinian perspective in the decades-old conflict in the Middle East, it is also an album with great music that fits the ears of all ages, cultures, and nationalities, and that will undoubtedly find its own place in the history of 21st century music.
Listen to the album Front Door Key
Watch videos of live performances and interviews
Read the interview by American journalist and writer Heather Wokusch
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