Lars Bo Kujahn (qanoun, percussion) and various musicians over the years It is almost impossible to speak of the Middle Eastern musical scene in Denmark, or indeed Danish world music generally, without mentioning Oriental Mood. The group received their international breakthrough in 1988, when they played at festivals in Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands, Germany and Italy. The following year, they won a prize as Denmark's best live world music ensemble. Over the years, the group's leader, Lars Bo Kujahn, has developed into something of an authority on Middle Eastern music, and has twice organised extensive workshops in Copenhagen under the title ‘The East in the West’, with teachers from the Balkan countries, the Middle East and Asia. The group recorded its first album, ‘Travels’, in 1993, when the line-up consisted of Yasar Tas, Lars Bo Kujahn, Hassan Khalil, Hadji Tekbilek, Claus Mathiesen and Hanne Rømer. Of these, only Lars Bo Kujahn still remains with the group. Just as the members have come and gone, so the musical focus has changed in Oriental Mood. In the early years, merely playing Middle Eastern music that sounded more or less authentic was practically a goal in itself. Their independence gradually increased, and today the group's special sound is instantly recognisable: Oriental Mood is one of the few bands which, on the basis of Middle Eastern music, can encompass such genres as classical Turkish music, drum ’n’ bass, Balkan rhythms, Afro-Arabian grooves and much more. In its basic form, Oriental Mood has always been an instrumental ensemble, performing with varying singers and other guests. The CD 'Visits' from 2001, for example, featured the Moroccan singer Asmaa Mnour and Swedish-Turkish Hadji Tebilek on the ney flute, while on the project 'Oriental Cut' in 2003 the guest list included rapper Zaki Youssef, and Hadji Tekbilek once again. This time the music was mixed with flamenco dance, and the project was performed for audiences in Egypt, Germany and Denmark with great success. Since then, Oriental Mood has performed with, amongst others, percussionist Johnny Kalsi of the group Dhol Foundation and the singer Fatma Zidan, who was born in Saudi Arabia. By Mikkel Hornnes This article was produced in co-operation with the periodical Djembe: www.djembe.dk

Oriental Mood was formed in Copenhagen in 1991 Latest album: From Berlin to Beirut (2004) Other releases:  Oriental Cut (2003) Visits (2001) Kurdistan - The Forgotten World (1998) Oriental Garden (1997) Web: www.oriental-mood.dk