Rainbow Arabia

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Out of the many labels attached to Rainbow Arabia’s globe-trekking, kaleidoscopic dance music, the most concise term yet may be “Fourth World Pop” as they were recently dubbed by The Quietus (UK). The concept of “Fourth World”, credited to avant-garde trumpeter/Eno collaborator Jon Hassell, refers to a style of music employing modern technological treatments and influenced by various cultures and eras. While one may be painting part of the picture in describing their sound with any number of long-winded, hyphenated tags (tropical ethno-electro, world-beat new wave, etc), The Portland Mercury recently hit the nail on the head, “Spin a globe, extend your finger, and let it fall where it may. Chances are—unless your digit landed in the ocean—your finger will rest on a swath of land that influences Rainbow Arabia”.”

With peers like High Places, Pit Er Pat, Gang Gang Dance, and Lucky Dragons who also incorporate these processes and influences into their music, clearly Rainbow Arabia is not alone in exploring Hassell’s concept. However, add in catchy hooks and melodies with an embrace of slick production sheen and you have the “pop” element that differentiates Rainbow Arabia among their fellow contemporary “Fourth World” explorers.

Inspired by the purchase of a Lebanese Casio that played microtonal scales and Arabic beats, Rainbow Arabia’a propulsive first effort The Basta EP showed a lot of promise blending bossa nova, electro-pop, goth/post-punk, and Middle Eastern music.
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