MERYEM KOUFI & MEHDI HADDAB | NUBA NOVA 2

Meryem Koufi and Mehdi Haddab give Arab-Andalusian music a fresh, unconventional twist. With a generous dose of boldness and respect, they dive into the classical repertoire and build a musical bridge between North Africa and Europe. Their approach is playful, daring, and profound: they blend spirituality with sensuality, the sacred with the worldly, and place the female voice powerfully in the spotlight. At the heart lies the Nouba, a poetic musical form that sings of life’s fragility. This centuries-old tradition from Al-Andalus — the cultural peak of Islamic Spain between the 8th and 15th centuries — is revived by Koufi and Haddab. Not as a museum piece, but as living heritage.

They play with musical codes, improvise freely, and bring surprising orchestrations that open up the genre. The result? A tribute that does not preserve tradition in glass, but makes it sparkle.

Meryem Koufi grew up with the Arab-Andalusian repertoire in Algeria. From an early age, she immersed herself in this rich musical tradition and learned to play the kouitra — a rare lute with four double strings. She studied under Tarik Hamouche, one of the last masters of this instrument, and sang for many years in renowned music schools in Algiers, including the prestigious Es-Soundoussia, where figures such as Lamia Maadini and Beihdja Rahal were also trained. Koufi contributed to nine albums by Beihdja Rahal and today is considered a reference within the genre.

Mehdi Haddab shares the same passion for tradition. He trained classically on the oud with masters from Egypt, Turkey, and Tunisia. But he chose firmly for innovation: he electrified his instrument and created his own musical universe. With his groups DuOud and Speed Caravan, he explores the border between tradition and experiment. His unique style also caught the attention of Peter Gabriel, who invited him to join the Real World label.

After their first Nuba Nova album (Buda Musique), which focused on the Annaba School and featured a collaboration with master Hamdi Benani, Koufi and Haddab now turn their attention to the traditional Nouba of the Algiers School. This second album, Nuba Nova 2, is a bold and inspired reinterpretation of this centuries-old heritage. With the support of the Institut français d’Algérie, the album was recorded in France and Algeria, and will be released at the end of 2025.

Meryem Koufi – Vocals & Kouitra
Mehdi Haddab – Electric Oud
Bruno Ralle – Bass & Guitar
Skander Besbes – Guitar & Machines