Charif Megarbane & Ali – Tirakat

Charif Megarbane & Ali – Tirakat is a rich and deeply textured collaboration that brings together Jakarta-based trio Ali and Lebanese composer and multi-instrumentalist Charif Megarbane. Rooted in centuries of cultural exchange between Indonesia and the Arab world, the album offers a contemporary interpretation of shared musical histories rather than a simple fusion of styles.

Ali’s signature blend of 1970s Indonesian psychedelic funk, Orkes Melayu, disco grooves and Arabic melodic structures finds a natural counterpart in Megarbane’s work, which draws on jazz, library music and Mediterranean influences. Together, they create a sound built on groove, repetition and subtle complexity, where Western instruments are shaped by regional playing styles and musical traditions.

The album reflects a long lineage of musical exchange carried through trade routes, migration and cultural interaction