Arabic Music Info Source - Khaliji Music Reviews

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Read the disclaimer on the main Reviews page...
Reminder: All albums are rated on a five star scale.
I love most Arabic music, so most albums will have at least a three,
but I'll try to be objective.

Artists featured here:

El Saher, Kathem (1997)
El Saher, Kathem (1998)
Fatouma
Kuwaiti Miami Group

Music Releases 1997
Full Albums
In Alphabetical Order...

Fatouma
Nar Al Gharam
Summer 1997

posted 10/97

Here's a new Khaliji female singer who is taking the Gulf by storm (no pun intended). This woman has got quite a voice on her. There are some songs which grab you with their catchy choruses, and the catchy Khaliji beat keeps you bouncing in your car, even in the worst of traffic. Unfortunately after jamming for a few songs it seems that a few filler songs were dumped on the second half of the album, the beat seems a bit off on some of them. But you know what, buy the album anyway and look out for this woman to really become a name soon. She's breaking ground with her own unique style, she has the voice, the talent, and she picks out some neat songs to sing. Just a side note, it seems that she uses the same producer as the below mentioned Kuwaiti Miami Group.

Mom-meter: my mom (who is cool) liked a few songs but wasn't too wowed by this album, not like me anyway.
Notable Songs: Ya Shaikha, Hab Al Saed, Ya Walee Mina
Recommended if you like: Khaliji music, Tracy Chapman, Kuwaiti Miami Group
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Kathem El Saher
Fi Madrasat Al Hub
Early 1997

posted 10/97

Here is one of the few popular Arabic singers who I can truly respect and admire for having some true talent. Not only can this Iraqi guy sing, but he writes his own music, sometimes even his own lyrics, and he plays the instruments as well - he is a true mutrib. In this latest release you can find two songs that are written by a famous Arabic poet and writer, Nizar Kabbani. And what great songs they are. The first single off the album is entitled "Zeideni Aashkan" or give me more love. The words to this song are incredible, this is one of Nizar Kabbani's brilliant works. What loving words. And even if you can't understand what he's singing, the beat, Katham's voice, and the music are enough to really grab you.
But overall, this is a well produced album, with quite a few really strong songs which stand well on their own.

Notable songs:

Zeidini Ashkan

Salami

Fi Madrasat Al Hub
Recommended if you like: Calm Arabic music, good lyrics, nice instrumentation, old Arabic music and you have been turned off by the bubble gum pop Arabic music coming out lately.
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Kathem El Saher
Ana Wa Leilee
Feb 1998

posted 03/07/98

Read Guest Review

I was quite disappointed upon first listening to this album. It really was a let down after last years masterpiece Fi Madrasat Al Hub. But I guess we can't expect two masterpieces two years in a row. It is impressive how fast Arab musicians turn out albums compared to Western musicians who often wait two or more years between each album. On its own, this is actually a very good album. I still respect Kathem El Saher more than most singers as being a true musician.

The songs are all beautifully orchestrated with a very nice use of strings and just great instrumentation. Kathem still knows how to carry a song - you can just feel his heart in every note of the music. His old albums just seemed funner and maybe more passionate because of the fun upbeatness of it all. Anyway, for Nizar Kabbani lovers, Kathem has used Nizar's lyrics in the first single Kaseidat Ela Entee, also known as Ash'hadu In' Imra'atan, but it's not as amazing as Zeidini Ashkan. Laeb Behum Laeb really got me jamming, it is quite reminiscent of the sound on the Gazal album. which has always been one of my favorites. In fact, now I'm going to go listen to it again.

Mom & her friends-meter: my mom and her friends are all raving about the first single, especially the lyrics.
Notable songs: Ahh...Ala Ahh Laeb Behum Laeb Kaseidat Ela Entee
Recommended if you like: Marcel Khalife, Eric Clapton
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Kuwaiti Miami Group
Self Titled
Early 1997

posted 10/97

(I'd give six stars if I wouldn't be breaking the rules...)
This is one of those albums that keeps on growing and growing on you. The guys in this group have mastered a blend of Khaliji and Western music. Most songs get an added treat of a chorus of young Khaliji kids who add so much flavour to the album that my heart just wants to melt with them. If you aren't much of a fan of Khaliji music, but you aren't totally closed off to it, truly, this is the one Khaliji album you will want in your collection. While the songs on this album don't grab you like their 1996 hit single Aicha', overall this album flows better and is more consistant then their 1996 self titled release. There are upbeat songs, and there are the slow lovey type songs with beautiful lyrics. And an added bonus, at least on my copy, is that the words come printed in the cover!

Mom-meter: my mom (who is cool) simply adores this band.
Notable songs: Gosh all of them, but most notably Sheluha Shala, Gharamak Shi Ajeeb, Ashkak Halal, Hakam Alana Al Wakat
Recommended if you like: Modern Khaliji music, International flavoured Arabic music
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