No Blues

No Blues, a Netherlands outfit, craft an original worldbeat blend that merges American folk and blues with taqsim, the rhythmically elastic traditional Middle Eastern form, under the fitting label “Arabicana.” The core unit unites American, Middle Eastern, and Dutch players, among them guitarist Ad Van Meurs, previously of Deirdre and W.A.T., oudist Haytham Safia, and bassist Anne-Maarten Van Heuvelen, once of the Marbletones. On the 2005 release Farewell Shalabiye and the 2007 album Ya Dunya the ensemble was augmented by percussionist Osama Maleegi, vocalist Ankie Keultjes, and drummer Eric Vanderlest, with the latter record also spotlighting an active guest contribution from Tracy Bonham on violin and vocals.