Signed a Record Deal, Album Announced

You can tell I'm excited.

I am happy to announce that I have signed a record deal with Ajna Records, owned and run by Nawaf Gheraibah, a highly talented and influential musician; we have previously worked together on several occasions,  the biggest one being the Bija Concert in 2012.

With this news we announced that my debut album will be released sometime in early 2017; and along the way I will be posting my progress. The album will be fully written and composed by me, and will be a traditional blues album, inspired by songs of old (as is the blues tradition!).

I do have a sneak detail though; the opening track of the album will be called 'Dbayeh Highway Blues'.

Thanks to Ajna and Nawaf for the wonderful opportunity!

'Rock Me Baby' - Ali Sleeq & Turk LIVE

Here's a stripped down, mellow version of the classic blues standard 'Rock Me Baby', that me and Tarik 'Turk' Kabbani performed at Shaheed Park (Kuwait) in February.

More videos will be posted soon!

Latest Update Roundup

Well, it's been about 3 weeks since I posted on the blog, but don't you worry. I'm still here... but been busy with many musical stuff... so here's a quick update!

Radio Interview on FM103.7

Radio Interview with new funk/rock band The Watertowers; here the first song below!

Live Performance at Bayt Lothan

A Bluesy Weekend Special

Hey folks, after a long break from performing, I'm back with the blues, and back to back with 2 shows this weekend! I've got a setlist comprised of new and rare songs, and I'm happy to have probably the best harp player I've ever played with, Steve, to join me in the set.

First, on Friday 20th November, at the Khareef Festival at DAI Cultural Center in Yarmouk:

And on Saturday the 21st at Qout Market, Sahara Golf Club:

2nd Blues Workshop - 20 October

Following from where my last workshop ended, I'm returning once again to Bayt Lothan to continue my blues discussion, and a jam will take place too!

It will take place Tuesday, October 20 from 7-9. 5KD fee.

The marketing:

BLUES WORKSHOP with Ali Sleeq 
DATE: Oct 20 
TIME: 7-9pm 
VENUE: Bayt Lothan 
First hour will cover blues concepts and the second hour will be a jam with the participants so bring your instruments whatever they maybe!

Registration fee : 5kd
To register: 25755866 / 25755877 ex: 102 /107 

Blues Workshop - 12th July

I'll be giving a workshop about blues music next week (Sunday, 12th June) at Bayt Lothan; it's only KD 5/- a person, with limited seating.

Here's the blurb:

"Part historical and part practical, Ali's blues workshop will cover the origins, various playstyles and the main legends of the blues, along with a practical understanding of the basics of blues playing. 
 If you want to brush up on the history of the blues and learn a few licks, join us at Bayt Lothan on July 12 for the first workshop of its kind in Kuwait!" 

Organic Sounds - Tribute to Nepal Concert

Imagination Express: Tarek Yamani Trio, Local Musicians Live in Kuwait

This Thursday, Tarek Yamani, Lebanese jazz extraordinaire, will perform with his trio (Elie Afif / bass and Rony Afif / drums) at the Al-Americani Cultural Center. This event is being managed by Nuqat. 

Supporting him are some of the best local musicians (humble innit):

1) Hussa Al-Humaidhi

2) Amin Fari

3) Basil Al-Hadi

4) Galaxy Juice Band

5) and me, Ali Sleeq

It's a free event, so don't say you have something better to do on a Thursday night!

KFC Deep Fried Blues

In what turned out to be my most bizarre gig (and believe me there have been many), was also one of the most memorable.

My agent called and asked if I would be willing to do a gig for KFC in the biggest mall in Kuwait. I'm not usually the person to say no to any gig, no matter how weird it sounds. I figure I will always have a story to tell my grandkids about.

Turns out the chain was going to do a meet and greet with Colonel Sanders himself (OK, he's not the real Colonel, but he's an approved copy!) and that he would be taking pictures and such with people.

Perhaps they underestimated his popularity. 

Once my blues associate Zeus and I got on the stage, which I might add, had a huge Styrofoam chicken bucket prop on the side, and started jamming away the blues, the Colonel strolled his way down to the stage as if he was the fucking president. The mobs that swarmed him was like a scene from some riot. 

We only got to do a few songs before the stage was invaded by the angry / delusional / spazzed crowd, which led us to evacuate. The colonel, in his brief moment of peace, thanked us and didn't believe we weren't from Mississippi (as per his words, not mine). We took a photograph, which will be cemented in modern history as the time we played the blues for the Colonel himself.

Hear the Full Podcast of my Radio Appearance on 99.7 RKFM

Last week, I sat in on DJ Maha's daily show on FM99.7 Radio Kuwait, discussing the roots of music, the best rock riffs of all times, and other things! We also heard the best of blues and rock on the show, from Muddy Waters, to The Rolling Stones, to The White Stripes and everything in between. 

Check out the full two hour podcast below, and let me know what you think! Thanks Maha for the great show and for having me! (Doesn't work for mobile users I'm afraid)

'Stir It Up' Video From Last Night's Bob Marley Tribute Concert

Last night a tribute concert to Bob Marley took place in Bayt Lothan (Kuwait). Three performing acts each performed a selection of covers and originals. We got together for one big jam of Marley's classic hit 'Stir It Up'.

The performers are: Amin AKA Mr. Fari, Fabrice, and Karrouhat Band (Basel Hadi, Hashim Al-Nasser, Abdulrahman Essa, Alex Abdalian, Ali Sleeq (me), and Fredrico Del Melo). Sound and audio by Sarj.

Thanks to Nour from Get Out Blog for the video!

Video: Hoochie Coochie Man - Ali Sleeq with Aziz Ali @ Qout Market

As mentioned in my first post of 2015, I performed at the Qout Market on th 3rd of January with Aziz Ali as a special guest.

Below is a video of one of the songs performed; the classic Muddy Waters song. Send me feedback and share the blues!

Video: 'I Am The Blues' / Ali Sleeq & Friends

This was taken at the Jam Kuwait event on Friday, 21st November.

This song was performed as a jam with some great and aspiring musicians (mentioned in video), never having played before together. Such is the spirit of the blues.

Video taken by Bachir Najjar.

Hope you enjoy it! And send me feedback goddammit!

UN Day Concert

Once again, I'll be performing alongside Nawaf Gheraibah and other fine musicians, this time for the UN, at the UN Day concert.  

I'll have some pictures up once the show is done!

Here's what Nawaf had to say about the concert:

"I have the privilege to be performing alongside my colleagues and friends at the United Nations Day "UN DAY"

On the 27th of October at the UN Building in Mishref, Kuwait.

...

UN Day marks the anniversary of the entry into force in 1945 of the UN Charter. With the ratification of this founding document by the majority of its signatories, including the five permanent members of the Security Council, the United Nations officially came into being.

24 October has been celebrated as United Nations Day since 1948. In 1971, the United Nations General Assembly recommended that the day be observed by Member States as a public holiday."

Live Event: Cozmo Spraybox (update: postponed)

UPDATE: "The concert portion has been postponed due to reasons beyond the organizers control; the show is still on but the new date will be announced later"

I'll be performing this Friday the 24th of October for the opening of the Cozmo Spraybox, the first ever graffiti park in the Middle East. 

There will be many other performers ranging from hip-hop, rock, and other great treats. I'll be opening the show with a blues set, so come on down and show your support for local artists!

Earth Day Concert by Nawaf Gheraibah & Friends

Once again, I have the honor to perform with one of Kuwait's musical visionaries, Nawaf Gheraibah. I have worked with Nawaf on his Bija Concert which sent waves across the country. He also made the Samsara event last year as well to much acclaim.

And now, a smaller version of his events will be held for Earth Day, on the 22nd and 23rd April at the Kuwait National Museum, and I will be on bass duties once more.

Check out the teaser video below, and hope to see you there!

For A Rainy Day: 'Tupelo Blues' - John Lee Hooker

A severe thunderstorm has hit Kuwait and the Gulf States, with Saudi Arabia experiencing great floods.

I recommend spending the day at home, while having John Lee Hooker's song, 'Tupelo Blues' playing non-stop.

Tupelo, Mississippi, was hit by a severe tornado in 1936 and caused hundreds of deaths, and John Lee's song is a homage to the hard-hit town.

This blues is very befitting of the current scenario.

Our 'Peace One Day' Concert Videos

A couple of videos have surfed courtesy of Karrouhat Studio of our live performance on Saturday, hope you enjoy!


1) Breathe - Pink Floyd (see the bass solo at the end!) ;)

2) Machtoub - Autostrad

Two Upcoming Shows in Kuwait You Must Attend

We all know that the music scene in Kuwait is pretty much on life support (not a very good one either). This whole year I haven't performed even once!

Until now.

On September 21, I'll be performing alongside Basil Al-Hadi and the Karrouhat Band at the Contemporary Art Platform for Peace One Day:

(click for hi-rez)

Sometime at the end of November I'll be performing once again with Nawaf Gheraibah's orchestral ensemble, more details to be announced soon:

Stay on the lookout for more music and my activities!

Dust Bowl Blues

It's been a hot, dusty, messy week here in Kuwait... I can't help but think we're back in that dust bowl mood from last year.

To celebrate the dusty weather, here's Woody Guthrie's "Dust Bowl Blues" to keep us going through this...

I guess you've heard about ev'ry kind of blues,

I guess you've heard about ev'ry kind of blues,

But when the dust gets high, you can't even see the sky.