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
Lebanon
Various Artists – Village Wedding: Lebanese Songs & Vignettes ca. late 1960s – early ’70s
We have another gem from Canary Records: “Anthony M. Abraham (b. June 13, 1893 in Aintourine, present-day northern Lebanon; d. July 1978) arrived in the U.S. in 1921 and worked for decades as a machinist and crane operator at Crucible Steel Works. His label Alkawakeb, primarily reissued or pirated Arabic-language Continue Reading
Various Artists – Ruptured Sessions Vol. 1: Live at Radio Lebanon
Ruptured Sessions has produced a compilation of Lebanese folk and blues. Considering the horror happening in the region, hearing mournful folk and blues music seems appropriate. May God save Lebanon from evil.
Kazdoura – Khayal (خيال)
No reviews today as we prepare for Gregorian Calendar Christmas and finals for the school. In my stead, I offer to you Kazdoura, a singer from Canada who is of Levantine Arab descent. This is a touch of Arabic pop blended with trip-hop, jazz and psychedelic Andalou Rock.
Mayssa Jallad – Marjaa: The Battle Of The Hotels
A haunting release, this one. Imagine dark experimental music mixed with war-ravaged architecture in what was one of the most beautiful cities in the world during the 1970s, Beirut. This is the terribly beauty Mayssa Jallad offers. From Ruptured Records’ Bandcamp site: “The album comprises two parts. Part A: Dahaliz, Continue Reading
Charif Megarbane – Marzipan
Habibi Funk presents the latest release of Beirut, Lebanon’s most prolific producer, Charif Megarbane. Though there are only two tracks available to listen to on Bandcamp, you can surely find more tracks to hear on quality sites like Qobuz or Deezer to check out the album in its entirety. From Continue Reading
Youmna Saba – Arb’een (40)
Lebanese singer and oudist Youmna Saba offers up 40, an album of experimental music, but not in the way you think. From her Bandcamp site: “”Arb‘een (40)” is a solo experiment in songwriting, challenging narrative structures and proposing alternative readings of time and continuity. It is rendered by use of Continue Reading
Fairuz – Kifak Inta LP
There is no doubt who the reigning queen of Arab music is. Fairuz, once and always a beautiful songstress from Lebanon, has had this legendary cult album reissued by our dear friends at Wewantsounds, and it will be arriving on November 4, 2022. Unfortunately, there may not be a digital Continue Reading
Adjin Asllan, Tarik Bulut, The Garabed Brothers, et al. – In An Egyptian Garden
From the legendary Canary Records Bandcamp site: From the 1910s through the 1950s, immigrants released 78rpm discs marketed to their own language / ethnic groups, and that practice survived for a century well into the era of the 33rpm, 45rpm, cassette, and CD era. But from the mid-50s though the Continue Reading
Alif – Aynama-Rtama
I trust you, my friends, had a lovely Gregorian-Calendar Boxing Day. I spent mine listening to a Lebanese experimental band called Alif. At least as the liner notes on their Bandcamp site explain, it looks to be a collaboration between Lebanese and Egyptian musicians, and features the talents of the Continue Reading