He is accompanied on this debut release by percussionist Abd al Hafiz Karar. Sudan has been a meeting ground for both Arabic and African musical traditions throughout the centuries, and al Sunni s native region in particular was the setting for the development of a modern, urban Sudanese style combining many diverse cultural backgrounds. Unfortunately, religious and political differences, ultimately resulting in civil war, have meant that many musicians have gone into exile. Al Sunni currently performs to the large numbers of the Sudanese diaspora in the UK and Europe. It is only since the turn of the last century that such individual 'performers' established themselves, adopting the ud rather than the indigenous 5-string lyre to accompany the voice.
Lyrics are of paramount importance for the Sudanese audience.
For non-Arabic speaking listeners, a full translated lyric sheet ensures this fundamental poetic aspect of the music is not missed. However, even without it, the emotion and ambience created by al-Sunni helps to portray the themes of love, loss and longing, which feature so prominently in the urban popular tradition. Al Sunni himself works with his cousin, the highly respected poet Bashir al Qamar, to create several fine contemporary songs on this release.