GUZO | Tinnitist | August 2020

“Pioneering cello player, composer, singer and educator Mike Block premiered his latest single Ifrah Web-Tisem. The track, part of Block’s upcoming world music album, Guzo, set for an Aug. 21 release, features Omani musician Amal Waqar on oud and vocals. Discussing the track, Block stated, “I met Amal when she was a participant in Silkroad’s Global Musician Workshop, which I direct. I was so excited to collaborate with a Khaliji musician for the first time. Amal helped guide my listening and gave me some lessons on what made Khaliji music special, in order to inform my composing of this melody. Amal created lyrics that were repetitive enough that I could learn to sing them in Arabic, a language I do not speak…”

-Darryl Sterdan, Indie Roundup (August 2020)