Leo Records never misses a beat. This album brings together two legends – Sun Ra, who needs no introduction to those who love freaky jazz, and drummer Salah Ragab, Egypt’s king of rhythm.
Egypt
Various Artists – Canary Records: Tarab Vocal Art in Khedival Cairo, vol. 2, ca. 1905 – 1914
Another gem from Canary Records, as they return to Egypt, as quoted on their Bandcamp site: “When disc recording technology arrived in Egypt in 1903, much of the Arab world around the Mediterranean had been experiencing a cultural, political, and social “awakening” (the “nadha”) that had been intrinsic to literary Continue Reading
Layla Murad (ليلى مراد) – If My Heart Has Known Humiliation: Cairo Baidaphon Recordings ca. 1936-49
Canary Records continues its incredible run of reissues with Egyptian Jewish chanteuse Lalya Murad, whose music has been lovingly cleaned up by Ian Nagoski—sublime recordings from another era.
Dr. Abdel Latif Gohar – Egyptian Buzuq Solos ca. 1950s
From the estimable Canary Records at their Bandcamp site: “Abdel Latif Gohar was an ophthalmologist with a private practice and in the Egyptian military where he held the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Dedicated to music, he started as a violinist before taking up the buzuq, the long-necked, steel stringed lute. Continue Reading
Various Artists – Mellow Label Productions: Omaggio a Demetrio Stratos
Demetrio Stratos was an Egyptian-born Greek who lived in Italy and served as the frontman and vocalist of the legendary progressive rock band Area, as well as a songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and music researcher. Mellow Label Productions, a venerable Italian record label, has produced a tribute to his work.
Al Massrieen – Modern Music
One of Egypt’s greatest bands, Al Massrieen, gets the reissue treatment from the phenomenal Habibi Funk Records! From the label’s Bandcamp site: “We’re happy to present a reissue of “Modern Music”, the last album by the iconic Egyptian band Al Massrieen, originally released in 1984. This was the final installment Continue Reading
Nagat – Eyoun El Alb
Our favorite reissue label, Wewantsounds, offers yet another gem to one of the coolest catalogs around. This album comes from Egyptian diva Nagat, and it’s an example of a type of disco homegrown in Egypt – Disco Arabesquo – which combines the erstwhile dancing style of the 1970s with Arabic Continue Reading
Abdel Halim Hafez – Mawood
Though it is always with great sadness that modern record labels who release spectacular vinyl editions don’t offer such releases on digital formats for sale, it’s a forgivable sin, as our dear friends at WeWantSounds continue to impress with their choices of artists they so lovingly reissue. Abdel Halim Hafez Continue Reading
Maha – Orkos
The legendary Habibi Funk will be releasing another scorching release on October 10, 2022. The release will feature a singer called Maha, who hails from Egypt and who worked with Salah Ragab’s Cairo Jazz Band as their main vocalist. There is an amazing backstory you can find on the release’s Continue Reading
Abadir – Mutate
SVBKVLT is a label based in Shanghai, China who have an international outlook. A perfect example is this band, the Egyptian artist Abadir, who works in the field of experimental electronic music and glitch.