Spice Roots explores themes of restlessness and rootlessness in a succession of pieces featuring vocal and instrumental music and Tribal Fusion bellydance. As well as set repertoire, the troupe explores free-form improvised arrangements, allowing every performance to be a unique expression. Besides performing original pieces, Ottoman Slap draws from a range of traditional music, including Andalusian, Romanian, Kletzmer and Arabic folk songs. They strike a resonance between local and global music by weaving together Middle Eastern and Cape rhythms along with vocals in Spanish, Roma and Afrikaans. Instruments include saxophone, trumpet, saw, hulusi, mandolin, guitar, accordion, double bass, darbuka, daf, riq, cajón, zils and castanets.

Audience Responses

5 out of 5 - love the band, their music and their performance. most unusual and uplifting.

Absolutely stunning. it was a fabulous show. The Ottoman Slap are real artists. Warm and smoothly style, the mix of exotic line crossing the deep and worm tones makes them music unique. They should perform again. It will be great to watch other shows like it in Alexander bar.

I just love their music so much, could have been a slightly longer show. But a it was a great one none the less.

This was our first visit to your fabulous bar and concert venue. It was absolutely great - it was my son's 21st birthday celebration with his family and we all had a great time. The concert; venue; everything was cool! See you soon again! Steven van der Merwe

Loved it!

Loved, loved, loved the show. Unfortunately I left feeling it was somehow a little rushed because there was another show straight afterwards (i.e. we were aware they wouldn't play an encore or describe some of the interesting intruments, etc) But all in all it was an amazing evening, great venue, nice vibe and very good music! Thank you