French quintet Mokhtar opens their new album Mokhtar Airlines with “Kan Ya Makan,” a composition that folds Arabic musical heritage into the language of contemporary jazz and funk. Translating to “Once Upon a Time,” the title hints at the track’s layered, narrative structure. While rooted in Arabic melodic tradition, the piece moves far beyond a folkloric retelling. Instead, it constructs a narrative through sound, built around bandleader Lucas Pinabel’s expressive tenor saxophone and blending maqam-based phrasing with the kinetic energy of jazz and 1970s funk.

Featuring Samuel Bondon on bassoon, Reynald Garnier on drums and percussion, Jérémy Nègre on electric bass, and Yann Salaün on keyboards, Mokhtar works with precision, layering rhythmic accents and harmonic colour without over-saturating the arrangement. Liliane Chreim’s Arabic vocals are woven into the composition with care, serving as a structural element that deepens its emotional and melodic scope. The use of bassoon adds an unexpected timbral weight, grounding the more agile saxophone lines while expanding the tonal palette beyond typical jazz instrumentation.

Recorded at Le Monde Perdu in Rennes in December 2024 and mastered by Jeremy Henry, “Kan Ya Makan” is sonically detailed and exemplifies Mokhtar’s approach to music-making, where cultural narratives and musical sensibilities converge. The ensemble’s ability to integrate diverse instruments and styles results in a composition that reflects the band’s broad influences and commitment to musical exploration.

You can stream, listen to and get your copy of the album out now via MaAuLa Records HERE