Artist:Azadoota

Iraqi-born songwriter Robin Zirwanda sings in his native Assyrian Neo-Aramaic language, once the common tongue of the civilised world but now considered to be in danger of extinction. To the mysterious sound of this ancient language he adds the familiarity of poprock and the spicy heat of Latin rhythms. It’s a dance concoction deliberately pitched at mainstream audiences, and it has made Azadoota one of Australia’s most popular world music acts. In costumes derived from Ancient Assyrian fashion, Azadoota perform a repertoire of catchy originals, which extends from percussive dance tunes to sexy love songs, to solid funk and a touch of reggae - always conveying an irrepressible sense of celebration. Seemingly fuelled by espresso and Iraqi temper alone, percussion powerhouse Robin fronts the band with timbales and doumbek his tools of trade, twirling his drumsticks as he switches effortlessly from Cuban rhythms to those of his home country. Azadoota’s two commercial releases, 2008’s ...