Myriam Faris - Nadini

Myriam Faris truly broke out of the mold of her debut album with Nadini. Instead of tired remakes, Myriam worked with some of the greatest names in the industry, new and old. With only two ballads on the album (the très traditionnelle Hassait B'Aman and the more pop-ish Hassesni Bik), Myriam's album is young and whether it goes for Europop or belly dance beats, it's upbeat dance music. The album opens with hit title song, a fast-paced, and extremely catchy, electronic song, composed by Mohamed Rahim from Egypt, and arranged by Jean-Marie Riachi from Lebanon. Anadiya is an irresistable mix of traditional Arabic music and electronic beats, with the song moving from violins and riqq to accordions and club beats in a heartbeat. To a similar effect, Ha'leq Ala Rahtak opens like something out of a Zorro movie and turns into a quintessential belly dancing song. Boudi Naoum follows up 2003's Shou Baddo Ysir, with another very Europop offering, Leih Habibi, which the versatile Myriam works with very well. Za'lan Menni is for fans of the Latin sound, with brass and Latin beats mixing with heavier Arabic beats. Ma'rafsh Had Bel Ism Dah takes a similar path, adding mizmar and doing away with the Latin beat. Khallini Tir, which more or less qualifies as a ballad too, combines Tarek Abou Jaoudeh's dramatic composition with Ravi's excellent arrangement, combining heavy strings with kanun, riqq, and powerful beats. The album's last single, Waheshni Eih, continues where Nadini left off, but adds Arabic beats and mizmar to the mix, making for a much more interesting song.



1. Nadini
2. Anadiya
3. Hassesni Bik
4. Ha'leq Rahtak
5. Leih Habibi
6. Ma'rafsh Had Bel Ism Dah
7. Hassait B'Aman
8. Khallini Tir
9. Za'lan Menni
10. Waheshni Eih

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Magida el Roumi - Kalimat

Magida el Roumi's 1991 album was one of the most important in her career. Reissued several times, and with the iconic title song etched in the minds of Arab listeners everywhere, Kalimat set the stage for what was to come from this living Lebanese legend. Combining "the women's poet" Nizar Qabbani's beautiful poetry with Ihsan El Mounzer's beautiful fusion of classical and Arabic music, Kalimat is one of those songs you never forget. The great Mayada El Hennawi also talked about her love for this song when interviewed on Shako Mako.



1. Kalimat
2. Esma' Albi
3. El Iyam
4. Inta We Ana
5. Koullon Youghanni Ala Lailah
6. Beirut Set Eddounia

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Oum Kalthoum - Daret El Ayam

Oum Kalthoum was not only a symbol of Egypt, but the symbol of a unified Arab world. Whether she sang classical poetry or in her native dialect, religious songs or patriotic songs, her voice was heard from Morocco to Oman. The young bedouin girl who simply came to sing in the big city not only became a milestone in Arabic music, but became the voice of Nasserism, of Arab unity. Though the dreams she and Gamal Abdel Nasser envisioned may have died with them, her music lives on and she remains Kawkab Al Sharq (Star of the East). Daret El Ayam, written by Ma'moun El Shennawi and composed by the great Mohamed Abdel Wahab, is one of Oum Kalthoum's most well-known songs. The song speaks of how years after two lovers parted, seeing each other awakened old emotions and made them forget why they ever parted. From the moment the melancholic accordion begins to play to the end, Daret El Ayam is a testament to the genius of Mohamed Abdel Wahab and the beauty of Oum Kalthoum's world.



1. Daret El Ayam

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Elissa - Ahla Dounya

Elissa's 2004 album was a turning point for the Lebanese singer in many ways. It not only cemented her Egyptian success, got her a contract with Pepsi, and won her her first World Music Award, it also marked the most active point in Elissa's career. It was her last album with producer Jean Saliba, and her last collaboration with Jean-Marie Riachi, who arranged the whole album. The album is dominated by western-style ballads and Latin touches, but there are a number of songs which shine through. Elissa remakes another Turkish song here also, Bain El Ain is a cover of İzel's Dile Benden, and although I prefer İzel's voice, Jean-Marie Riachi gives the arrangement slightly more depth. The hit Erga' Lel Shouq, Elissa's first completely Arabic-sounding single, makes you almost feel the orchestra around you. The sad Hobbak Waja', exhilarating Arrabli, upbeat Irham Albi, and emotional Gouwaya Lik, are all more than enough to merit this album a listen. For fans of Hossam Habib, after working with her on Ayshalak, Hossam also composed Ad Ma Bashta'lak. Jean-Marie Riachi fell out with Elissa after this album for reasons that remain unclear, but Ahla Dounya remains a testament to his contribution to her success.



1. Erga' Lel Shouq
2. Ahla Dounya
3. Kol Youm Fi Omri
4. Khallini A'ish
5. Bain El Ain
6. Hobbak Waja' (Inta La Min?)
7. Ad Ma Bashta'lak
8. Kan Nefsi A'raf
9. Zikra
10. Irham Albi
11. Gouwaya Lik
12. Arrabli
13. Law Nerja' Sawa

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Diana Haddad - Men Diana Ela...

Diana Haddad returns to the music scene with Men Diana Ela... (a.k.a. From Diana To), a Khaliji album from beginning to end. The styles range from pop and ballads to the traditional. Some songs use typical Arabic beats (be it from the Gulf or Iraq), while others use styles that border on Latin, African, and Indian music. Never one to depend on one lyricist or musician, Diana works with a number of composers, like Walid El Shami, Abdelqader El Hedhoud, Fayez El Sa'id, and Essam Kamal. Arrangers Ziad Nadim, Ali Msafer, Bilal El Zein and Ahmed Asadi each do great jobs on Shloun Ashoufah, Tahreg A'sabi, Leit El Goloub, and Ajiba respectively. Though most would have liked to see Diana release a more diverse album, after a two-year wait, Men Diana Ela... is thoroughly enjoyable album.



1. Sheft Ettesalek
2. Shloun Ashoufah
3. Tahreg A'sabi
4. El'ab Ala Galbi
5. Allah Ykhallik
6. Ajiba
7. Ya Za'lan
8. Ma Yet'ebni
9. Leit El Goloub
10. Rouh Ya Sghayer

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Sara Al Hani - Haik Bta'mel

The young Sara Al Hani returns this year with a completely different album, Haik Bta'mel. The beautiful title song is composed by the talented Ramy Ayach, which is bound to help her attract some of the well-loved star's fans. Walid Saad, who composed her debut single Karrahni Fik, returns also with two songs, the mizmar-infused Elli Nasini and slow Eftakart, both arranged by Adel Aayesh. Salim Assaf has written most of the lyrics, and he also composed Ma Hada Byeb'edni, as well as Sara's first Khaliji song, Fedeit Rouhak. Olt Eih is also an enjoyable song also, composed by Mazen Zawaydi and arranged by Hadi Sharara. Though Sara's voice, and Jean-Marie Riachi's arrangement, on Haik Bta'mel will steal you away at first, be sure to listen to the whole album.



1. Haik Bta'mel
2. Olt Eih
3. Law Khayarouni
4. Al Shou A Balou
5. Elli Nasini
6. Fedeit Rouhak
7. Ma Hada Byeb'edni
8. Eftakart

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Melhem Zein - Alawwah

Melhem Zein, who caused audiences to jump on to the stage the day he left Superstar, is one of Lebanon's most well-loved former talent show contestants. His last two albums focused mostly more pop-orientied or slower Arabic songs, but Melhem finally realized where his voice was best put to use with Alawwah. The album is dominated by Lebanese dabke songs, which it seems most popular singers have distanced themselves from lately, singing only one or two songs from the genre on their albums. Tarek Madkour is absent from this album, but the variety of arrangers is impressive. From Lebanon, there's Roger Khoury, Bassem Mounir, Bilal El Zein, Dani Helou, Hadi Sharara and Walid Eblan; from Egypt, Karim Abdelwahab and Mohamed Mostafa. The dabke songs range from playful like Alawwah, Aawed, Sheddi El Ghetra, and Ya Ahl Allah, to melancholic like Ghibi Ya Shames and Ma Hammak. Melhem doesn't neglect fans of the style prevalent in his first two albums however. Nami Aal Hada, Ma Ba'ref Laish Bhebbak, Maryam (dedicated to his newborn daughter), and his hit single Mamnounak are pop and jazz-influenced songs. The remaining three songs are just as enjoyable, Wallah W'alla'tek Fiyeh is a catchy maksoum song, Yemken a very traditional, organic mawal, and the album finishes the equally traditional ballad, Ghab El Ghali.



1. Alawwah
2. Wallah W'alla'tek Fiyeh
3. Sheddi El Ghetra
4. Aawed
5. Ghibi Ya Shames
6. Ma Hammak
7. Nami Aal Hada
8. Ma Ba'ref Laish Bhebbak
9. Ya Ahl Allah
10. Maryam
11. Mamnounak
12. Yemken
13. Ghab El Ghali

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Reeda - Shaklak Ma Ytammensh

Reeda's absence from the music scene could not have been cut short in a better way than her 2006 album, Shaklak Ma Ytammensh. To announce her return, she released a video for Mashi Ya Zaman which showed her at work in the studio with Iwan and Tarek Abou Jaoudeh, as well as other musicians, production teams, and makeup artists. A few months later, Reeda released her album and the video for the title song simultaneously. Though the arrangers incorporate western instruments to spice things up, the album is a very oriental one. The catchy title song, composed by Riyad El Hamshari, is made up of heavy beats, accordion, and kanun for the most part. The third single, Bala Betthebni, is another catchy, upbeat song composed by Mohamed Yehia, and Khaled Nabil incorporates the electric guitar (similar to the way he did on Aadi by Nora Rahal). Hadi Sharara's arrangement on the upbeat Khallik Ala Rahtak is also reminiscent of his work on Razan's hit debut single, Law Hob Dah, which came out later that year. Apart from the very Turkish Bes'al Hali, which doesn't fit Reeda at all, and the sleepy Tamma'tak Feya, the album is a success. However, is no doubt that Mashi Ya Zaman remains the gem in this album, and the proof is that most to people refer to this album by that title.



1. Bala Betthebbeni
2. Kol Dmou' El Koun
3. Shaklak Ma Ytammensh
4. Tamma'tak Feya
5. Bes'al Hali
6. Khallik Ala Rahtak (Narak Men Nari)
7. Khod Albi
8. Mashi Ya Zaman
9. Mashi Ya Zaman (Remix)

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Julia Boutros - Ta'awadna Alaik... Habibi

Julia Boutros' follow-up to her hit 2004 album, La B'ahlamak, came in the form of this 2006 release. The album tones down some of the jazz elements Julia incorporated in her past two releases, and concentrates on what Julia seems to do best, oriental songs (like Ala Shou?) and dramatic ballads (like La B'ahlamak). The majority of the album has an Arabic orchestra, with the exception of Habibi and Deblet Bakkir which employ more western arrangment. Ta'awadna Alaik kicks off the album with a very rich, traditional feel and sets the mood. Habibi is in the vein of La B'ahlamak, and goes for more dramatic, western ballad arrangement. Tghayart Ktir and Mfakker Inta returns to the Arabic style, and is typical of Ziad Boutros' compositions for Julia, with lyrics that tell a story. Ma Btefhamni and Menhebbak Aih are bit more upbeat, with heavier percussion and lighthearted lyrics in which she tells her lover that he is loved regardless of his flaws. Julia always sings a song for her country, and Khawfi A Weladi does the honors here. Julia's attention is usually focused on meaningful lyrics that you can relate to, or at least think about. The whole album is composed by Julia's brother, Ziad Boutros, and arranged by Michel Fadel, who also conducts the orchestra. Despite the first-rate music, the summer 2006 Israeli-Hizbollah war cut Julia's plans to promote the album. She did not release any videos or go on tour, and instead of returning to her home in Dubai, she remained in her Lebanon to protest the war. She became an outspoken supporter of Hizbollah, for the simple reason that they were protecting Lebanon. Her songs Ahebba'i, inspired by the words of Hizbollah leader Nasrallah, and Intasara Loubnan made enemies for her at a sensitive time when most Lebanese singers were trying to keep their political views to themselves. Julia raised thousands from her Ahebba'i campaign that went towards rebuilding Lebanese homes destroyed by Israeli fire. Though Julia is reportedly back to work on secular music again, it's unlikely this album will be revisited.

1. Ta'awadna Alaik
2. Habibi
3. Tghayart Ktir
4. Deblet Bakkir
5. Mfakker Inta
6. Ma Btefhamni
7. Menhebbak Aih
8. Khawfi A Weladi

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Asalah - Erga' Laha

Asalah's 1996 album is a mix of both light Egyptian pop songs, like Heya Keda and Khodni Ma'ak (Meshwar Hawak), and heavier, lengthy tarab songs like Erga' Laha and her popular rendition of Alli Gara. The album is composed by Mohamed Diya', Helmi Bakr, Amir Abdel Majid, and the great Sayed Mekkawi.



1. Heya Keda
2. Shi' Yerga'lak
3. Alli Gara
4. Katabtak
5. Khodni Ma'ak (Meshwar Hawak)
6. Erga' Laha

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Darine Hadchiti - Kel El Ossa

Darine Hadchiti's third album is a solid effort from the young Lebanese singer. As always, Kel El Ossa boasts a stellar list of musicians, including Tarek Abou Jaoudeh, Hadi Sharara, Wissam El Amir, Roger Khoury, George Karam, Zaher El Baba, Mohamed Yehia, Walid Saad, Adel Aayesh, and Boudi Naoum. As is usually the case, Darine's album is quite lengthy, and so there are a number of great songs with not-so-great songs filling the gap. The album opens like her previous two, with a Tarek Abou Jaoudeh-Hadi Sharara collaboration. Meshta'a is another catchy song with an amazing fusion of Arabic and electronic music. The title song, an upbeat and fun Lebanese song composed by Wissam El Amir, follows. Kel El Ossa's arrangement is reminiscent of the style Roger Khoury used with his last collaboration with Wissam El Amir, on Melhem Zein's Alawwah. Next up is Ana Aheb (Fiha Eih Ya'ni), which is composed by one of the busiest men this year, Mohamed Yehia. Tarek Madkour's upbeat, poppy arrangement on this song is one of his better works this year. The album's first single, Rasi Ala Rasak, is an equally great song, thanks to both George Karam's upbeat composition and Boudi Naoum's fusion of pop with an Arabic beat and mizmar. Ma Bta'refni, composed by Zaher El Baba, is another enjoyable, upbeat song, even though the arrangement takes a backseat with nothing special. Hobbak Ghali Alaya, Darine's first Egyptian single, is fairly good although her vocals don't do much for the song. Darine Hadchiti's vocals are not necessarily bad, her failure to create a niche for herself is what holds her back, even after the release of her third album. Regardless of what you hear from others, Kel El Ossa is definitely worth a listen, with a number of good songs to be discovered.



1. Meshta'a
2. Kel El Ossa
3. Ana Aheb (Fiha Eih Ya'ni)
4. Maw'oudeh
5. Denyeh B'ideh
6. Rasi Ala Rasak
7. Mamnou'
8. Ma'ouleh Hayda El Hob
9. Ma Bta'refni
10. Khedni Wrouh
11. Hobbak Ghali Alaya

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Nawal - Nawal 2009

Nawal's long-awaited follow-up to Nawal 2006 has finally arrived, and it is definitely good. As always, Nawal has an infectiously catchy single, and the rest of the album is filled with well-chosen lyrics, and generally mellow music. Mou Liya, like El Shoug Jabek, Bi Yahsedouni Aleih, and Tammen Galbak before it, is infectiously catchy and goes places Nawal has never been before. After joining Nawal on his compositions like El Shou Jabek and Fel Bedaya, Mish'al El Orouj returns even more prominently in Mou Liya, although it is his only composition here. On this album, Nawal's Egyptian song is composed by Walid Saad, after working with the late Riyad El Hamshari on her past two albums. Bahraini arranger Sirouz has much more prominent presence on Nawal 2009 than any other arranger, a fact this listener doesn't like, but listening to the work Khaled Ez and Hani Farhat do on Hathi Jedida, Wein Antehi, and Khed'a, or İsmail Tunçbilek does on Mou Liya is gratifying enough to forget it. Sah is another beautiful song, combining Turki's meaningful lyrics with Sahm's skillful composition (which he already proved in Asalah's 2007 album, Sawaha Galbi), and Essam El Sharaiti & Hani Farhat's arrangement. Nawal 2009 caters to those who like the polished Nawal as much as it does to those who like the rougher, more old school Nawal.



1. Dhagat Aleik
2. Meshtag Galoli
3. Sam
4. Leih Saket
5. Hathi Jedida
6. Mou Liya
7. May Eini
8. Sah
9. Ghab Nourek
10. Khed'a
11. Aghla Hob
12. Has Be Ghalteto
13. Min Allemek
14. Eyoun El Nas
15. Wein Antehi

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Hoda Saad - Ertaht

Moroccan singer Hoda Saad's debut album is a mellow, mostly traditional one. Hoda skillfully sings in the Egyptian, Lebanese, and Khaliji dialects, as well as her native Moroccan dialect. Hoda's soft, feminine voice does not instantly distinguish itself, but it is good and well-employed throughout the album. Hoda works with some of the top names in the business, including Walid Saad, Salim Salameh, Mahmoud Khayami, and Mohamed Rifai. Looking like Egyptian songstress Sherine can't hurt either.



1. Ma Kontesh
2. Ma Sadda'
3. Maghroumeh Fik
4. Abou El Erreif
5. Jit Nsidou
6. Ma Tfakkarnish
7. Ma Baddak
8. Ertaht Ashan Nesitni
9. Allah Yaster

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Mohamed El Majzoub - Hann Albi

Mohamed El Majzoub was a favorite to win the second season of Rotana TV's Arab import of The X Factor. And not surprisingly, the 17-year-old Syrian won it. As promised, Mohamed went to work on his debut album, courtesy of Rotana, and one year later here it is. Like fellow X Factor winner Rajaa Qasabni before him, Mohamed works with Walid Saad, Salim Salameh, and Adel Aayesh. The album also maintains the same oriental feel throughout, with traditional instrumentation and only the title song using a pop beat. However, unlike Rajaa's album, Lebanese songs dominate this album and there is far more variety in terms of composers and arrangers with Hisham Boulos, Marc Abdelnour, Khalil Abou Abeid, and Dani Helou on board also. Rotana has produced another winner in Mohamed, and this album is definitely one of the strongest debuts in years.



1. Allah Shou Bhebbak
2. Hann Albi
3. Keda Tensani
4. Hebbini
5. Ba'dek
6. Ma T'oulsh Ana
7. Ana A'mel Eih
8. Bhessak Ma'i

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Asmahan - Les Archives De La Musique Arabe

Born Amal Al Atrache to Syrian Druze nobility, Asmahan's life was almost as interesting as her sublime voice. Asmahan's father, Fahd Al Atrache, was the governor of the Demirci district in Ottoman Turkey. After Turkey lost Syria to the French, the Atrache family fled fearing Turkish retribution and Asmahan was born on the ship that took them back to Syria. Having lost their wealth, Asmahan's mother was forced to sing for a living and became young Asmahan, and her brother Farid's inspiration. One of the earliest singers to introduce the western influence to Arabic music, Asmahan's voice excelled at almost anything. Though Farid lived quite a long life and became a legendary singer, actor, and composer, Asmahan was not so lucky. Her mysterious death in Egypt was blamed on the intelligence wars of the time, and it was rumored she was a spy. Other more ridiculous conspiracy theories account even accused Oum Kalthoum of having her murdered "to kill off the competition". This is a compilation of Asmahan's greatest songs, and even includes Ya Habibi Ta'ala and Layali El Ons, which are still concert favorites to this day.



1. Aleik Salat Allah
2. Layta Lel Barqi
3. Farraq Ma Beinna
4. Naweit Adari
5. Layali El Bashar
6. Ash'inha
7. Layali El Ons
8. Ya Habibi Ta'ala

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Pascale Machaalani - Sa'beh Eish... Men Dounak

Pascale Machaalani's eleventh studio album, Sa'beh Eish... Men Dounak, was released in 2004. Apart from the odd intro or beat, the majority of the album is quite purist, working with strings and Arabic beats rather than chasing new trends. As we have come to expect from Pascale in the past few years, the majority of the album is arranged by Melhem Abou Shdid, and he did some of his best work here. With the exception of the title song, the album is written by Egyptian lyricists, and composed by both Egyptian and Lebanese composers, such as Tarek Abou Jaoudeh, Mostafa Aoud, Mahmoud Khayami, and Boudi Naoum (who brings a pop song to the table as usual). Pascale had many unforgettable hits with this album, such as Sa'beh Eish Men Dounak and Sana Oula Gharam, but many of the songs that weren't given the spotlight, like Ba'd Keda and Aal Youm El Youm, are equally great.



1. Sa'beh Eish Men Dounak
2. Rouhi Inta
3. Ana Toul El Youm
4. Ba'd Keda
5. Balak Tawil
6. Sana Oula Gharam
7. Aal Youm El Youm
8. Omri Lik
9. Bahebbohou

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