CHAMOS Turns Kurdish Instrumentals Into Club Anthems on Debut EP

Dutch-Kurdish electronic collective CHAMOS has recently unveiled their debut EP ‘From Erbil to Amsterdam’, a reinterpretation of the diverse sounds of West Asian culture that cements the trio as one of the most exciting electronic acts today.

The four-track EP is a project that hit upon the inspired notion of combining the squelch, clatter and euphoric gallop of house and bass music with traditional Kurdish melodies. The EP features a club-ready remix of the 2010 classic song ‘Berzî Berzî’ by the Kurdish singer and poet Naser Razzazi, along with collaborations with native Kurdish musicians such as BIJI, aka the voice of Conducta’s 2023 hit ‘Gold’, who appears on ‘Kurdish Flute’, an afro-house groover peppered with the soulful notes of a Zurna flute.

The album also include tracks like ‘Chopi Riddim’ and ‘Klash Riddim’, which were released as preview singles of the album, and have made their way into sets by a roster of acclaimed global DJs the likes of Saliah, Habibeats and Taylah Elaine, just to name a few. 

The artwork for the EP and its singles feature four symbolic pieces from everyday Kurdish life - Cemedanî (scarf), Klash (shoes), Sherwal & Tshora (men’s clothing), and the sacred fruit of Kurdistan, the Pomegranate.