Seffarine takes its name from the ancient metalworking souq in Fes, Morocco, birthplace of vocalist Lamiae Naki, which is famous for the complex rhythms that ring out from the blacksmiths’ hammers, and where her family is well known as masters continuing the tradition today. Seffarine’s music embraces and extends Morocco’s musical collision between Arabic, Iberian and West African cultures, forging vibrant original music deeply rooted in Naki and oud player/flamenco guitarist Nat Hulskamp’s backgrounds in Arab-Andalusi and flamenco music. Their companions, who hail from Iran, Spain and the US, infuse the sound with textured instrumentation and inspired improvisation. Sweeping kamancheh (Persian spike-fiddle) ornamentation plays off gritty bass grooves and fiery flamenco footwork, with Lamiae’s fluidly riveting voice at the center, sending up sheets of cascading Andalusi melodies punctuated by the catchy hooks of North African Chaabi, sung in her native Moroccan Arabic.