Fred Elias with Buddy Sarkissian & his Mecca Four – Soul of the East: New England Near Eastern Dance Instrumentals ca. 1960

The story of Syro-Lebanese violinist Fred Elias reads almost like a movie script, and we have Ian Nagoski from Canary Records to thank for bringing his story to light. The music itself is energetic and percussion-heavy, with Elias skillfully playing his violin to a lively 9/8 rhythm. It’s the kind Continue Reading

Abu Ama + BedouinDrone – Dawlat L​ī​biyyā

Abu Ama and BedouinDrone’s most recent collaboration, Dawlat L​ī​biyyā, is being presented to the world by Mahorka Records, who have released this album as a well-deserved vinyl edition as well as a adding an extra track added to the digital version.  The duo released several albums both together and individually Continue Reading

Baligh Hamdi – Instrumental Modal Pop of 1970’s Egypt

Sublime Frequencies never ceases to amaze me with the gems they dig up.  From their Bandcamp site: Sublime Frequencies finally unleashes it’s ESSENTIAL compilation from 1970’s Egypt. Modal instrumental tracks from Baligh Hamdi – one of the most important Arabic composers of the 20th Century (writing for legends Umm Kalthum, Continue Reading