Inheritance - the solo debut from Palestinian-American composer, producer, DJ and sound artist Omar Ahmad - is out now on cassette and digital.
A self-taught multi-instrumentalist, Ahmad enjoys bending the “rules” of genre, often using child-like and unconventional techniques to yield raw emotion. His compositions are inspired by the ever-changing balance between distinct feelings and oppositional pairs in the world: empathy / disconnection, loss / discovery, longing / isolation. As a third culture musician Ahmad rarely finds himself fully belonging to a singular sound or ideology.
At times recalling the emotional landscape of Fennesz and Ryuichi Sakamoto’s Cendre, Inheritance weaves an auditory narrative that evades genre constraints. Enveloping orchestral ambience gives way to hypnotic Arab poly-rhythms, dewy and playful nostalgic electronica, shining a bright light into the dark depths of experimental meditations..
Additional violin arrangement on “Lapses” by Concetta Abbate
Additional synth programming on “Sham Oasis” by Sam Obey
Recorded and mixed by Omar Ahmad
March 2020 - December 2021 at home in Brooklyn, NY
Mastered by Sam Obey
Omar Ahmad is a Palestinian American composer, producer, and sound artist. A self-taught multi-instrumentalist he enjoys bending the “rules” of genre, often using child-like and unconventional techniques to yield the raw emotion present in his work. His compositions are inspired by the ever-changing balance between distinct feelings and oppositional pairs in the world: empathy/disconnection, loss/discovery, longing/isolation. As a third culture musician Ahmad rarely finds himself fully belonging to a singular sound or ideology.
Alongside Alicia Coleman (Sweet Kicks) Ahmad recently co-founded Ūmboma, a recurring global dance event emphasizing African, Arab and Latin American contemporary rhythms. A combination of Arabic, Swahili and Spanish words, Ūmboma signifies a Congregation of Freedom & Spirit. He also co-runs the ambient experimental show series Mesmarize, hosted by Mesma Records. A resident DJ of their eclectic dance series Mesma Grooves Ahmad is also a regular contributing DJ at Laylit, the largest and fastest-growing contemporary Middle Eastern and North African music community in New York.
A stalwart member of the underground Brooklyn electronic scene for many years, Ahmad has performed at esteemed venues Elsewhere, National Sawdust, Jupiter Disco, Littlefield, Bowery Electric, TBA Brooklyn, and Knitting Factory.