Sunday, December 13, 2009

Latifa - Atehadda

When news of Latifa's Khaliji album came to light, the air of skepticism was undeniable. Latifa has proven us wrong once again, however. After wowing audiences with Ziad Rahbani in 2006, and again with Egyptian pop in Fel Kam Youm Ell Fatou in 2008, Latifa has done it again. While Fella's Khaliji album had a Saudi focus, and Yara's an Emirati one, Latifa's has a Qatari one. As with her previous albums, Latifa tends to excel with slower-tempo songs and she has quite a few excellent ones here, as well as a number of genres. The album has Khaliji pop, like Mamlouh, Atehadda, Wesh Aad Endak, and Ma Yestahel. Then there are songs that mix genres. Einek Le Bara, the story of a lover with wandering eyes, has an interesting gypsy flavor. Ya Anani, arranged by Egyptian-born Ali Abaza, is closer to the Egyptian pop Latifa usually sings. Ana Men Nah Winta Men Nah, composed by George Marderosian, is a fun reminder of the composer's work in the 1990s. Kel Wahed, Ma Jeitni, and Habbeina Gheirah are heartfelt modern ballads, while Weinek Ta'al, Ya Sahrin El Leil and Sabberna Yalli Msabberna are rich, more traditional pieces. Latifa may not have mastered the accent as well as other singers this year, but the album is solid, albeit it could have done without some of the faster tracks.

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1. Mamlouh
2. Einek Le Bara
3. Atehadda
4. Ma Jeitni
5. Ya Anani
6. Kel Wahed
7. Ana Men Nah Winta Men Nah
8. Wesh Aad Endak
9. Weinek Ta'al
10. Hallaftkom
11. Ya Sahrin El Leil
12. Habbeina Gheirah
13. Sabberni Yalli Msabberna

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Thursday, December 3, 2009

Fella - Ya Mesafer Lel Jefa

ith the influx of Khaliji songs from singers during the past year, Fella's solid effort went almost unnoticed. Having lived in Kuwait, Fella's command of the everyday Khaliji accent is even better than Asalah Nasri. The Algerian singer's album has work from all over the Gulf, with composers from Bahrain, Dubai, Kuwait, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. The album opens with some pop songs; Kel Hal Hob is a mediocre song with some good arrangement, and Mashi is quite forgettable. Shel Jedid is a more melancholy ballad and picks the album up. Ya Mawlana, a folk song, is an upbeat song reminiscent of Abo Bakr Salem's Yemen-influenced work. Ya Mesafer Lel Jefa, composed by Mohamed Abdu, carries the album title but despite some nice lyrics and music, the song feels too long. A musician in her own right, Fella couldn't resist including a song of her own creation; Inta Habibi is an Algerian song arranged by Issam El Sharayti. The album goes into traditional jalsa mode from tracks 7 to 9, with some of Saudi Arabia's most reputable poets and musicians, and traditional instruments. Sameh Allah Habibi opens with an oud solo and the song is a slow, melancholic song with beautiful ney, oud, and traditional strings. Ana Men Sedg Ahebbah brings in the Indian influence and is a heartwarming song about true love. Ya Tibi brings back the stories of the scorned lover, and is another gem in this diverse album. Ya Mesafer Lel Jefa ends with a Fayez El Said song, Yezid El Shoug, and upbeat Emirati song and the album's first single.

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1. Kel Hal Hob
2. Mashi
3. Ya Mawlana
4. Shel Jedid
5. Ya Mesafer Lel Jefa
6. Inta Habibi
7. Sameh Allah Habibi
8. Ana Men Sedg Ahebbah
9. Ya Tibi
10. Yezid El Shoug

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