The Belgian-Lebanese group Mólo Sâyat creates a funky world music groove with Arab and Balkan influences. Their story begins in 2010 when saxophonist Mathieu Najean heard a beautiful but strange melody being sung by Pôl Seif, a student in Brussels studying cinematography. Soon they were jamming with guitarist Paul Gautier (who also plays oud), and invited Frédéric Safin (bass) and Olivier Faber (percussion, trumpet, violin) to join in. They learned Lebanese lullabies and some Greek hits.

As the band took shape, they added Alexis Van Doosselaere (drums, percussion) and Anthony Dupriez (guitar, buzuk, flute). On their second album, Mòlo Sâyat also features Mathieu Najean (sax, clarinet). Playing everywhere, from pubs to street corners, the ensemble enjoyed putting their playful, swinging spin on re-arranged traditional Greek, Italian, Gypsy, Lebanese and Egyptian songs.  The band’s mysterious moniker, Mòlo Sâyat, is a witty reference to the fantasized heritage of the ancient and romantic minstrels, incarnated by Sayat Nova, 18th century Armenian poet and musician. But, the inside joke is that its absurdity makes you grin just as the music on ĦADÃEQ takes you on an impressionistic journey to far-away times and places.

The band clearly enjoys chemistry and camaraderie together that is demonstrated in the cohesion of their music. Whether touring on both sides of the Atlantic, or performing in “village squares, abandoned places, festivals, campgrounds, live on radio, in their blue truck (Archibald), or off-season in a hockey stadium,” Mólo Sâyat keeps the music dynamic, diverse and incendiary with both melodic and rhythmic elements. Being primarily a stringed instrument player myself, my ears were most keenly rewarded by those poignant tracks with Gautier’s oud and Faber’s violin such as “Hisan,” “Akşam En Gȕzel,” and “Furn El Ṡibbek.”   

While I wasn’t able to understand the Lebanese lyrics, “Ṡurfatón” creates a different, more somber, musical mood with the flute and horns conversing in a seductive fashion. Then, the Molo’s create nice mojo with a raucous tune, “Taksi” to close the album with very fun, upbeat notes and tongue-twister lyrics that pull you in and invite you to dance, sing along, clap your hands, and join the party. (Joe Ross, Roots Music Report)