Hakki Obadia – Master Musician Plays Middle East Classics: Iraqi​-​American Violinist & Composer, 1958​-​72

Hakki Obadia was a New York-based violinist of Iraqi Jewish extraction.  The ever-wonderful Canary Records presents a 25-track collection of wonderfully remastered tracks Obadia did for various labels.  The music is a reminder of what Baghdad must have been like a century ago.

Raïna Raï (راينا راي) – Hagda (​ه​ك​د​ا​)

A new name for me to enjoy!  Raïna Raï are (were?) a band from Sidi Bel Abbès, Algeria who gained a massive following with this album, released in 1982.  On the 40th anniversary of its release, the album, lovingly curated by Elmir Records, highlights one of the best raï records Continue Reading

miserable.noise.club – Frost Confinement

miserable.noise.club is a collective of incredibly talented musicians based in Jordan, China and the US + other collaborators in East Asia and the Middle East.  The music they make is, by some miracle, a solid blend of experimental music, a paean to post-punk and lo-fi psychedelic rock.  It’s hazy enough Continue Reading