Oriol Marès & Talal Fayad Quartet’s new single, “Ma7Dood”, marks a significant step in the ensemble’s cross-cultural investigation of Arabic and Latin musical vocabularies. The track is the lead release from their forthcoming debut album, Estuarium, due on the 9th of May, a record shaped by the shared experiences of two musicians rooted in distinct yet complementary traditions.

Barcelona-born clarinettist Oriol Marès has a background spanning classical performance, Latin jazz, and contemporary composition. His improvisational approach draws from European conservatoire training while actively engaging with folk idioms from Iberia and the Americas. In contrast, Talal Fayad, originally from Syria, brings a deep knowledge of maqam-based music. An oud player and composer trained in traditional Arabic, Turkish and Persian forms, Fayad has been increasingly involved in European experimental scenes since relocating to the Netherlands.

The Quartet was formed following the duo’s collaboration during Utrecht’s “Culture Shock” initiative, a project aimed at facilitating dialogue between displaced and local artists. Rounding out the group are Greek double bassist Thodoris Ziarkas, known for his work in contemporary jazz and Balkan music, and Spanish percussionist Lucas Zegrí, whose rhythmic sensibility bridges flamenco and North African grooves.

“Ma7Dood” reflects the group’s central aim: to create structured compositions that leave space for microtonal improvisation, complex polyrhythms and subtle textural shifts. The piece is anchored by modal phrases on oud and clarinet, interwoven with extended harmonic passages and improvisational dialogue. The result is a careful negotiation of musical languages: one shaped by migration, collaboration, and close listening.

Available now on streaming platforms, “Ma7Dood” also comes accompanied by a live session video, capturing the Quartet’s fluid interplay and collective focus. Find out more info HERE