Ahmed Mukhtar & Ignacio Lusardi Monteverde Al-hambra - EUCD2972 - World - par ARC Music

Ahmed Mukhtar and Ignacio Lusardi Monteverde release Al-hambra, a musical dialogue between oud and flamenco guitar. Releasing worldwide 22nd August, 2025, on ARC Music. Al-hambra is a vibrant exploration of the deep musical and cultural ties between the Arab world and Andalusia over centuries. Inspired by a visit to the Alhambra Palace in Granada, Mukhtar was moved by echoes of familiar Islamic architecture, setting the stage for a cross-cultural journey through music. The album bridges centuries of artistic exchange, tracing the influence of the Middle Eastern oud on the flamenco guitar and exploring shared melodic structures such as maqam and flamenco scales. From the rhythmic pulse of River Banks to the elegance of Baghdadi Girl, the compositions draw on a range of traditional and contemporary influences, including Latin American forms and classical Arabic modes.