AMIS
ArabicMusic
InfoSource

Reviews Archives

home
main
menu
home
home
reviews
reviews
hear
hear music
info
info
buy
buy music

khaliji corner
khaliji corner

 
 
 
 
 
 
Artists featured on this page:
 
Abbas, Hisham single
Abbas, Hisham
Alameh, Ragheb single
Alameh, Ragheb
Dania
Haddad, Deana single
Karam, Farris single

Karam, Najwa
Kfoury, Wael
Shamaly, Klaudia single
Soundtrack to El Maseer (the Destiny)
Tawfic, Walid
Toufec, Ehab
Warda

Go to the Khaliji Corner for more Music Reviews for: 
Abd Al-Majeed Abdullah, Mohammad Al-Mazem, Kathem El Saher, Fatouma, and the Kuwaiti Miami Group

 
 
Music Releases
Singles
 

Hisham Abbas & Hameed Al-Shaeree
Einee
Summer 1997
RA

posted Fall 97


This song may not do much for you on the first listen...at first. But before you know it you'll be clapping your hands three times really fast and before you know it, you'll put the song on again and clap along with the addictive clapping contained in this song. Hisham Abbas is on the prowl again with a new single, a duet with Hameed Al-Shaeree. While it isn't as good as Hisham's hits released over the last few years, it's still good. You are pretty much guaranteed that if Hisham's name is on the song - it must be good. He is Amr Diab's main competition but he doesn't get half the credit Amr does even though his music is much more original and cutting edge than Amr Diab's is. Ah well no one ever said life was fair. You can find this song on Hameed's latest release
 

Ragheb Alameh
Bravo Alaiki
Summer 1997

posted 10/97


Everyone else released a Latin flavoured song over the last year and a half, so here's Ragheb Alama with his. Yeah, I know, he's a little late, he sort of missed the boat, but the song is a reasonable effort nonetheless. It's got the trademarked Ragheb sound, with the pop chorus that has you singing along and ok, yeah, the words are a little corny, but it is a fun song.
 

Dania
Self Titled
Oct 1997

posted 11/97


Dania was one of the singers with an Alabina song out last year. In case you didn't notice, there were at least three Alabina's floating about last year, not including the remixes. The best one, and the most circulated was the Fiesta Mora version, however the best support album that came out was Ishtar's. Well, Dania is back now with her debut full album of arabesque songs: mainly songs in Arabic with Western music or Westernized Arabic music backing her up (there's even a Yalla Bina remix). Most of the songs are really fun to listen to with their dancy Euro-Arab beat, especially Ya Salam which uses the 70's disco melody and music of Fantasy (also recorded by Black Box a few years ago). Some songs, like Fiesta even evoke old Dalida memories when Dania's voice hits a rich tone and the music lends itself to a 70's feel. And the "what is she singing" bonus: the lyrics are provided in both English and Arabic.
Thanks to Ara-Music for the CD.

Notable songs: Momken Nazra Fiesta Ya Salam
Recommended if you like: Fiesta Mora, Ishtar & Los Ninos de Sara, Dalida, Ace of Base.
...back to top...or... main menu...
 

Deana Haddad
Amanah
Fall 1997

RA

posted Fall 97


Ahhh, what a beautiful song. If you liked Deana's Sakan or even if you didn't, you will love this song. This is such a well produced, upbeat song, that you can't sit still, and it makes you just want to rewind over and over, and hear the song over and over again, till you are just humming this song in every waking moment of the day, and then it consumes your dreams as well. The catchy beat consumes your life and the chorus repeats in your head till, till, well, until you get sick of it after a month. Isn't that what happened to you with Sakan? What an enjoyable bright song, its like a fresh breeze compared to the cookie cutter music that gets released sometimes.

Farris Karam
Ma Ba'uad Balaki
Fall 1997

posted Fall 97


Farris Karam has released a number of really good songs over the past year. This is probably one of the catchiest. The first few times I heard this song, I thought he was singing something about balconies (balakeen), but then I realized that he was just singing the word "balaki" to match the melody, which made it sound funny. When I sheepishly realized that he was singing about "not living without you," I enjoyed the song even more. Its nice to listen to the words to this song, and the song is pretty trance like with its lebanese debka styling. Its a perfect debka song.
 

Klaudia Shamaly
Shu Badak Aktar Min Hak
Fall 1997

RA

posted Fall 97


The Arabic music coming out of the ladies this year has been something else. I'm usually not a fan of female singers, but with Deana's release (reviewed above) and this new single, I'm reconsidering my stance. I have to say this song gets me going more than Deana's does, hence the five star rating. I think because the lyrics are more comprehensable and it gets me singing along, and I can actually understand what I'm singing. Pretty much everything I said about Deana's single applies here. The music is beautifully composed, with a mix of a traditional oriental orchestra and then a modern trance like chorus and Klaudia's distinctively bold voice just grabs you.  
 
 
Full Albums
In Alphabetical Order...
 

Hisham Abbas
Ya Leila
March 1997

posted 04/05/98

 

Read Guest Review

Yay, one of my favorite Arabic singers has finally released a new album. I have been waiting for this album since last summer when I assumed it would come out at about the same time as his Einee duet with Hameed Al-Shaeree. This album is well worth the wait. It's a happy, upbeat, dancy album with a bunch of very strongly composed songs. In fact, every song is great. And this is a rarity on most Arabic pop albums of the 90s.

If you haven't had the pleasure of hearing Hisham in the past on some songs such as "Wanna Wanna" or "Ya Leil," now is the time to get acquainted with his smooth style and very unimposing voice. His tracks include the jump up and down type and the sway back and forth type. Sort of like Amr Diab...Ok I know, Amr Diab fans hate it when I compare Hisham Abbas to him, especially when I state that Hisham is a better artist than Amr Diab is...oh well I guess I will just get more hate mail :)

Anyway, on this album, you find track five, Itmaneitik, which can easily disguise for an Amr Diab song, umm except Hisham does it better. Haa haa, oh no, I can feel my inbox overflowing already.

One great thing about Hisham is you can feel his enthusiasm radiating through all the songs, and it spreads through your speakers. Enjoy this album.
Thanks to Ara-Music for the CD.

Mom-meter: my mom (who is cool) loved it, but then she loves Hisham Abbas almost as much as I do.
Notable songs:Ya Leila Rouh Tigi Itmaneitik (hear more)
Recommended if you like: Amr Diab, Raghib Alameh
...back to top...or... main menu...

Ragheb Alameh
Beshub Kelmati
1997

posted 10/97


This album didn't really wow me. I have really liked Ragheb Alameh's past releases, but in the first few listens this one seemed to fizzle out between the four to five good songs on the album. Beshub Kelmati starts the album off really well, its a nice upbeat song, with relatively original music backing the song up. And then there a few songs scattered about which are pretty good, but mainly filler songs until a really really nice Elias Rahbani song lights the album up with a signature Rahbani feel. After a few listens the strong songs seem stronger and the album becomes a little more listenable. The good songs are really good, enough to buy the album for them, but beware because the in between songs don't pull the album together as they should.

Mom-meter: My mom (who is cool) loved the Elias Rahbani song and Bravo Alaiki but nothing else moved her.
Notable songs: Beshub Kelmati, Ela Eftekart, Bravo Alaiki, Katabtilik Omri
Recommended if you like: Ragheb Alameh
...back to top...or... main menu...
 

Najwa Karam
Ma Hada La Hada
1997

posted 10/97


This a pretty disappointing album from Lebanese singer Najwa Karam especially when compared to last year's wonderful Hathee Hilu. I was impressed by her debut in the early '90s and her followups have been pretty strong, until this release. This album lacks the pizzaz of earlier songs like Ma Bessmahlak, Sehrani, Ya Rakeb Aalbaya, Hathee Hilu and Lo Habaitik. Najwa's strong voice still resonates throughout the album, and two songs stand out pretty strong (but not like her past singles). Maybe if you are a really big fan of hers you will enjoy this album, but if not, stick with last year's release or her greatest hits album, and lets hope she gets it right next year.

Notable songs: Ma Hada La Hada El-Tahdi Bedee Menjem
Recommended if you like: Najwa Karam, Modern Lebanese female singers
...back to top...or... main menu...
 

Wael Kfoury
Tnaachar Chaher
Dec 1997

posted 12/97

 

Read Guest Review


Wael Kfoury has never been too good at making good solid albums, and he doesn't break the trend with this latest release. Don't get me wrong, I love his singles, usually there is one good one a year. But take my advice, don't bother with his albums. He skimps with only six songs; and at least one song, and sometimes two songs were on his previous album release. He is kind enough to change the title of the song slightly so that you perceive that you are getting a new song. But it isn't, so that means only four songs for you. And then, from those four songs, only two are any good!! So, with this release, you will recognize two songs from his early releases, including Boukra Rayeh Al Jaish. Two of the other songs are pretty good. The title track, takes a full three minutes before it warms up to the final four minutes of a good song, the first two minutes is a moual, and then it sort of goes down the runway, and then it takes off. In short, spend your money on any other artist featured on this page.
Thanks to Ara-Music for the CD.

Mom-meter: my mom (who is cool) didn't really go for this album because of the Armyish sound.
Notable songs: Rasala Ela Oummie Eid El Ashak Tnaachir Shahir
Recommended if you like: Boppy Arabic music, Amr Diab, Ragheb Alameh
...back to top...or... main menu...
 

Walid Tawfic
Damit Ward
1997

posted 10/97


This a surprisingly excellent album. I saw Walid live a few years ago, and I seriously thought that he should retire, in fact that was the general consensus of everyone I know. But after hearing this major label debut, on EMI Arabia, I'm glad he didn't retire. Three of the best songs were recorded in Hollywood which shows the benefits of major label support. There are some really catchy upbeat songs, and there are some great slow songs as well. It's a solid album with one strong song after another, all seamlessly produced.
Extra bonus, the lyrics are provided in Arabic and are also translated in English.

Mom-meter: my mom (who is cool) loved this album on the first listen
Notable songs:Ghajariyah, Acha'ak Azab,
Recommended if you like: Omar Diab, Ragheb Alameh, dancy and bouncy Arabic songs.
...back to top...or... main menu...
 

Ehab Toufec
E'ashak Kamar
1997

posted 10/97


This is a really nice dancy pop album. All of the songs are quite upbeat and get your head bobbing along from album start to finish. This is a non-stop musical feast of strong dancy songs. A nicely placed Spanish guitar flavours the begining of Aktar min Keda the first album track, but don't worry the song is not a late "Spanish flavoured Arabic music" trend follower. There are some Latin touches strewn about the album, but the songs follow the tradition of Arabic pop. In the best songs here, this Egyptian singer harmonizes well with the poppy background chorus, but keep in mind that Ehab's got a distinctive voice with a nasal tinge which may annoy some people (sort of like George Wassouf - you either hate him or love him.)

Mom-meter: my mom (who is cool) thinks that Ehab Toufec has a great future ahead of him
Notable songs: Ah ya walee, Einee E'Illa Inkoya
Aktar Min Kida Lowbit Lowb
Recommended if you like: Omar Diab, George Wassouf, dancy and bouncy Arabic songs.
...back to top...or... main menu...
 

Warda
Mawasem
Dec 1997

posted 12/97


Warda's latest release is a must have. As the first few beats start the album off, you can tell that you are about to enter a unique musical experience. As can be expected from Warda, the music that accompanies her rich, mature voice is beautifully composed.There are a few songs that really stand out; one which really does it for me is the seven minute long "Awsefak," if I have any music prediction skills, this will be the song that takes over the Middle East in the next few months. While none of the songs have the classic greatness of Bit Wannas Beek the album as a whole is her strongest to date. Read along with the lyrics with this EMI Arabia release in both English and Arabic.
Thanks to Ara-Music for the CD.

Mom-meter: my mom (who is cool) absolutely loved this album on the first listen (and that is very rare.
Notable songs:Min Radak Rido Mawasem Awsefak
Recommended if you like: Warda, Umm Kalthoum, Najwa Karam
...back to top...or... main menu...

Various Artists
Soundtrack to Al Maseer
Dec 1997

posted 03/07/98


In case you didn't see the movie - GO SEE THE MOVIE!!! Originating from Egypt, Al Maseer (or The Destiny, English, Le Destin, Francais), won an award in the Cannes Film Festival in 1997, for its Andulician story telling. Needless to say, as an Arab, it made me very proud. As I sat watching the movie back in December, I fell in love with many of the songs. I was so happy when I found out a soundtrack was made.

The songs on the album are good, but they are probably better if you have seen the film. Mohammad Muneer sings on two of the songs, another song is chant like and the others are beautiful instrumentals. Alee Soutak is a song which is repeated throughout the movie something like 10 times, its a song which echoed through my head for five days after seeing the film. It is such a happy, uplifting song, makes you want to sing. Hearing it on this album brings back memories of the film...sigh. What a great film!


Notable songs: Alee Soutek Gamr El Hawa
...back to top...or... main menu...
 

Quick Menu
Buy Music
Hear Music
Information
Home Page
 


Contact us at
nadush
@rocketmail.com
Last updated June 7, 1998
Webmaster: Nada S.
© copyright 1997 & 1998
nedHead productions, NHP
...dream a little...

 
http://members.aol.com/amisource/reviewarchive.htm