As I spent Chinese New Year’s Eve in the company of a friend and watched in amazement as to how empty my part of town was, I decided to call it a night and spent a bit of time enjoying some music. This was the first result of a healthy list of music I indulged in. This was my first exposure to the Abdel Karim Ensemble. I’m looking forward to finding more albums, as they play great traditional music from Syria, Egypt, Morocco and pre-Reconquista Spain. Magnificent listening.
Syria
[Music] Ciwan Haco – Sira Sibê
Many thanks to my friend Oded for sharing this Kurdish pop gem from legendary singer Ciwan Haco, who was the first Kurdish musician I ever heard.
[Music] Assa’d Khoury – Al Ghaba (1978)
All credit goes to my friend Thomas for hipping me to Assa’d Khoury, the king of Syrian electronic belly dance groove music.
[Music] Abir Nehme – Ya Mariam
One of Lebanon’s jewels, Abir Nehme is singing here in Syriac.
A Miscellany Of Tasteful Music 