habibi funk 015: An eclectic selection of music from the Arab world, part 2
Francisco Espregueira
Habibi Funk is a Berlin-based record label focused on promoting and reissuing on vinyl the eclectic sounds of 20th century Arab music scene. The label's 15th release is an unmissable 13-track compilation, which reflects not only a piece of popular music from various Arab countries, but also the personal choice of the people running the German label. Habibi Funk 015 is a delightful compilation made up of niche gems and artists who are, many of them, completely forgotten. The result is a combination of different styles. From Egyptian funk, Moroccan disco sounds, through rare examples of the Libyan reggae scene, to political songs from Lebanon, to Algerian soundtracks and the contact points between Kenyan and Omani music.
Most of the songs in Habibi Funk 015 were not made by celebrated artists. Not even by the artists celebrated in Northern African and Middle Eastern countries. The quality of the works present here, together with the rarity that they represent, make releases such as this one absolutely essential for preserving important moments in cultural histories that are both in time and space distant from ours. And we are extremely lucky to be able enjoy it. We enjoy Fadoul, the mystic Moroccan singer who, influenced by the sounds of James Brown, created his own energetic musical vision. We enoy Ahmed Malek, the great soundtrack composer of Algerian cinematography, whose music is widely recognized for a distinct sense of melancholy beauty. We appreciate Hamid Al Shaeri, an Egyptian producer, whose track "Ayonha" was probably the most celebrated by audiences on Habibi Funk's first compilation. Adding up to these names, all the others. Over 13 tracks, which are 13 doors to different worlds that the Berlin label will continue to present. Habibi Funk 015: An eclectic selection of music from the Arab world, part 2 is available in vinyl. For collectors.
When I got into Arabic music around five or six years ago, I knew pretty much nothing about it. Realistically, I still know very, very little about it and I’m by no means an expert. I just had the opportunity to visit the region frequently, trying to learn about music I might like. Most of the bands, I happen to enjoy, were fairly obscure and therefore a lot of the music on this compilation seems to be largely forgotten. After sharing many of the old records and tapes online through mixes, I have realized that there is a huge disparity be- tween the interest in the music on the one hand and its availability on the other.
- Habibi Funk