Habibi Funk teams up with LA-based Armenian cultural archivist Darone Sassounian to present Ara Kekedjian’s “Bourj Hammoud Groove.”

It’s been a while since we last checked in with Darone Sassounian. The LA-based Armenian-American DJ, selector, and cultural archivist has been busy since his critically-acclaimed 2021 compilation Silk Road: Journey Of The Armenian Diaspora (1971​-​1982). Sassounian’s latest project is a series of collaborations with the revered Berlin-based archival label Habibi Funk, who have been shining a light on Arabic funk and soul bands from the 1960-80s. The first release is out this Friday and focuses on one of the most distinct voices to emerge from Beirut’s Armenian community: Ara Kekedjian.

Bourj Hammoud Groove tells the story of a second generation Armenian migrant in Beirut finding his own voice through bold experimentation. After the Armenian Genocide of 1915, Beirut, specifically the shantytown of Bourj Hammoud, became the de facto cultural hub for the Armenian music scene, as what remained of Armenia was fully controlled by the USSR. Within this community, Ara Kekedjian developed a sound that had never been heard before blending his Armenian roots with rock and roll, soul, and psychedelic pop.

Kekedjian’s accolades include: first singer to be broadcast performing in the Armenian-language on Lebanese National TV; first to produce a record in Armenian in Lebanon; originator of a style of Estradayin (Armenian) pop rock that blended “Kef Time” (“Party Time” in Armenian) with electric keyboards and derbakka (goblet drum). Kekedjian influenced and paved the way for generations of Armenian artists with his fusion of Armenian rhythms and grooves with Western and Arabic influences including the legendary Armenian musician Boghos Shahmelikian, who said that Ara was the reason he became a musician and that, “Myself and the rest of the Armenian musicians from Bourj Hammoud owed it all to Ara Kekedjian.”

The liner notes of the release include a detailed history of Kekedjian and the Bourj Hammoud Groove along with this note from Darone Sassounian:

“Not all of the musicians from Bourj Hammoud have their stories shared and readily available, but I can’t help but feel the energy of the environment and its surroundings in each composition. Ara was no different than some of the greats of that era. If anything, he was the most special one, in my opinion. He was the first “Estradayin” recording artist in the Armenian diaspora and paved the way for many of its greatest sons and daughters. His labor and story are truly treasures for the Armenian diaspora, especially for Bourj Hammoud. Without him, there would be no Bourj Hammoud groove.

In Bourj Hammoud, each street and building tells a story of struggle and survival. The community has flourished, maintaining the beautiful traditions of Armenian art, music, and cuisine. The lively markets and bustling bakeries are a reflection of this rich culture, where generations gather to share tales of the past while looking forward to the future. Today, Bourj Hammoud continues to be a beacon of hope and a symbol of strength. Its journey from a refuge to a thriving center highlights the power of community and the indomitable spirit of the Armenian diaspora. The district stands not only as a home but as a pillar of iden-tity, connecting new beginnings to the deep roots of its history. Each stone in every building was set by people who deserve to have their stories told.”

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