Following its highly sought-after Zamaan Ya Sukkar compilation, Souma Records once again presents a collection of inimitably groovy Egyptian and Lebanese exotica, unearthed from the hallowed vaults of Sono Cairo and Voix De LOrients archives. These rare gems, born from a time of boundless musical experimentation in the Arab world, capture the vibrant, ever-evolving soundscapes of Cairo, Beirut, and beyond. Each track invites listeners onto a sonic voyage where the familiar and the avant-garde intertwine, revealing a sound that is as timeless as it is revolutionary.

Leila Gamals Abaleeh Abalingi

At the height of Pan-Arabism, when the United Arab Republic fused Egypt and Syria in a fleeting but bold experiment, a new wave of popular music was emergingvibrant, infectious, and universally danceable. Among its lesser-known stars was actress Leila Gamal, whose voicedelicate yet rich with longingembodied the golden era of Egyptian cinema. Born in Alexandria to Syrian roots, Gamals vocals were a magnetic blend of sweetness and passion, with a timeless allure that echoed the silver-screen sweethearts of her time.

Abaleeh Abalingi pulses with the hypnotic drive of funky organ riffs, reminiscent of the blind visionary Ammar El Sheriyi, creating a sound both cinematic and undeniably catchy. The delicate lyrics by Khairi Fouad place the track firmly in the lineage of the Middle Easts most iconic pop divas, from Angham to Nawal El-Zoughbi who he subsequently wrote for. This reissue, lovingly remastered, brings this long-lost gem back to life, where it belongsspinning on turntables, teasing dance floors, and transporting listeners to Egypt in the late sixties.

Adel Osmans Oriental Eyes

Oriental Eyes captures the essence of the 60s Egyptian Franco-Arab movement, blending Western (often jazz) influences with Arabic melodies to mesh mystique with sensuality. Osmans commanding yet delicate vocals deliver the bilingual lyrics with captivating sincerity, his voice effortlessly gliding over the swells of the arrangement. The trumpet, possibly connecting him to Zaki Osman of Salah Ragabs legendary Cairo Jazz Band, adds a layer of flair, enriching the tracks Tarantino-esque eclecticism. Now remastered, Oriental Eyes is not only a nostalgic gem but a timeless reminder of the boundary-defying spirit that defined the 1960s musical landscape.

Given the ongoing war efforts against Israel, this record wasnt pressed by Sono Cairo till much later in 1975 once Egypt had recaptured the Sinai and restored national pride. Sono Cairo (Sawt el-Qahira) was the first Arab-owned and by far the largest record label in the Middle East, amassing an unmatched catalogue of music. With exclusive rights over much of Umm Kulthums works, Sono Cairo played a crucial role in disseminating the sounds of Arab Nationalism and projecting Egypts soft power across the region.

Muhammad Al-Najjar
London, April 2025