Seeds Celebrates Brooklyn

So this past weekend few friends and I decided to go to Prospect Park in Brooklyn to check out Souad Massi, an Algerian singer/songwriter. The show was a part of Celebrate Brooklyn!, an annual, month long celebration of the arts, history, and diversity of the Brooklyn community. We happened upon the celebration dedicated to the Algerian community, hence Souad Massi.

I had never heard of Massi before, but my friend Mario said she was good, so I tagged along. The show was spectacular. It had been a while since I had been to a full on performance, with a light show, special effects, and a crowd over 100 people present. That was all well and good, but visuals and ambiance aside, Souad Massi gave one hell of a show. She was passionate, professional, and gifted. Each one of her songs grabbed my attention and wouldn’t let go. Her ability to blend rock, blues, and traditional Algerian sounds created music that was new and bold. She even managed to mix in some Latin and African influences, and while I couldn’t understand a word she said, her sweet voice and powerful music kept me hooked through the night.

Check out some of Souad Massi’s music as soon as you can. Here is a personal favorite, “Amessa”. Also, if you live in the New York area, be sure to check out Celebrate Brooklyn! They have great shows and events throughout the summer; I promise you’ll have a great time.