At Fox and Firkin in London: Dur-Dur Band International

There was a time when Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia, was often referred to as the “pearl of the Indian Ocean.” Before Dictator Mohamed Siad Barre was ousted in 1991 and the country plunged into civil war, it was a beautiful, cosmopolitan city with the nightlife and bands like Dur Dur to soundtrack it. Dur Dur Band it’s the name originally taken by 80’s Mogadishu Somalia Funk, Disco, Soul Band that was later disbanded in the early 90s, unable to continue playing in their city, Dur-Dur Band broke up and scattered abroad. Their competition did too, and the cinemas, studios, hotels and theatres that once played host to their music closed, or were forced to. In 2006, Mogadishu was briefly dominated by Islamic extremists who attempted to outlaw music. The place where this music was made is still listed on the map as though nothing changed, but it’s not the same city today as it was in 1987. These music recordings are a superb glimpse of what was and what’s been lost. Dur Dur Band International as it’s known now is the regrouping of some of the original Dur Dur Band founding members such as the legendary bass player Abdillahi Ujerry, also Mohamaed Karama, Qomal, Omar Teesiyow including the legendry Iftin Band musi- cians Saleh Hariri, Nabil, Ali Atore, Yusuf Nagi and Said Hussein from Waaberi National Band with the phenomenon vocalist Fadumian Hilowle with a repertoire of Funky Oldies and contemporary compilations of the best in Somali Funk.