With the reissue of »Abu Ali«, the label WeWantSounds had already brought the work of Ziad Rahbani on the screen of local enthusiasts of Arabic grooves two years ago – and thus started a little hype in these circles. As the son of Fairuz, probably Lebanon’s most distinguished singer, Ziad Rahbani has been active in music production since the late seventies, both for his mother but also in the context of his own compositions and collaborations. In addition to his uncle Elias Rahbani and Setrak Sarkissia, Ziad also collaborated with Joseph Sakr, one of the most popular singers in the Arab world to this day, until his first creative break during the early eighties. »Bennesbeh Labokra… Chou?« is a testament to the successful chemistry of the two, who indulge in delightful oriental jazz for more than 40 minutes on this album, serving up a score for sultry summer evenings on the urban rooftop terrace. There’s the improbably beautiful »Reda« or the five-part cycle »Variation« with its smoky brass parts and sometimes upbeat, sometimes laid-back atmosphere. Percussion and Lebanese folk music marry on this reissue with cinematic intermezzi, with nuances of bossa nova and easy listening. Of course, everything is remastered and curated by Mario Choueiry, an expert of the Paris Institut du Monde Arabe for this grossly underestimated musical region of the world.

Buy at HHV

Ziad Rahbani
Bennesbeh Labokra ... Chou?

from 34.99€