Amr Diab - The Perfect Solution

Updated

Amr Diab. This is one of his earlier songs, that features a delicious keyboard solo.

Amr Diab - The Perfect Solution The perfect solution Either we live life together Or I stay right where I am

O darling so long as you are away
I live in the world alone
I became tired of the feelings with the pain
And my heart which is that which is so wronged
And every day my darling
I know nothing but sighing

I lived years of my life in your abscence
While my heart is sad
I tired of the sadness all of it
And my life that I lived at one time
I know nothing but sighing
Either we live life together
Or I stay right where I am

Without you I have seen so much
And I run before them so much
And I am fine with the course of my destiny
And the live that is going to be wasted
And every day my darling
I know nothing but sighing
Either we live life together
Or I stay right where I am

عمرو دياب - ملهاش حل تاني

ملهاش حل تاني
يا نعيش الحياه انا وانت
يا وقفت في مكاني

يا حبيبى طول ما انت بعيد
انا عايش في الدنيا وحيد
مليت الاحساس بالألم
والقلب اللي كتير اتظلم
وفي كل الايام يا حبيبي
مش عارف الا التنهيد
يا نعيش الحياه انا وانت
يا وقفت في مكاني

في بعادك انا عشت سنين
من عمري وانا قلبي حزين
مليت الاحزان كلها
وحياتى اللى زمان عشتها
وفي كل الايام يا حبيبي
مش عارف الا التنهيد
يا نعيش الحياه انا وانت
يا وقفت في مكاني

من غيرك ياما شفت كتير
وأنا وأنا باجرى وراهم كتير
وأنا راضي بمشيئه القدر
والعمر اللى راح وانهدر
وفي كل الايام يا حبيبي
مش عارف الا التنهيد
يا نعيش الحياه انا وانت
يا وقفت في مكاني

Hamaki Getting Clever About Fighting Internet Piracy

Hamaki's album was fun and dance inducing, but it was not earth shattering. An average pop album for a star we like. But he realized, some of the songs needed to be improved, thus, he is re-releasing the album with new musical arrangements. He had to do a focus group over the title song, which he changed last minute as he talked it over with his team.

I like Hamaki and I liked his 2011 album too, but his old stuff might have been better. Or to be accurate  he just has one style and keeps changing the lyrics. This demo music and club mixes is his thing, but he is hardly the only one. Now internet pirates who upload the album on the net for everyone to share are no volunteers, they make serious money each time anyone downloads the album.

Hamaki released a new album, with a new track and new arrangements  he has also included a pass for few of his concerts. Anyone who purchases the album can attend some of his concerts. Now if people buy the album and do not get in those concerts, Hamaki is in trouble and the model will fail. He might have started something new, but for it to work, he has to keep his promise.

حماقي يمنع سرقة أغاني ألبومه الجديد

Elissa Gets The Indian Treatment

Musicians steal--borrow from one another and hope not to be noticed. When they get caught, they say they are paying homage to another artist. Fine. Elissa had a song six years ago that sounded fresh. A romantic song Bastanak, which she filmed into a music video. I have found the song has been remixed or remade into an Indian song. It's not uncommon for Indians to rip off some Arabic music and vice verse--though Turkish music seems to be more popular with the Arabic musicians 

It seems that Hamid El Shari has put this video together.

اغنية اليسا - بستناك - بالهندي -توزيع حميد الشاعري


Elissa - Bastanak / إليسا - بستناك

Video: Nariman Mansour Is The Egypt's Iron Woman

Nariman Mansour might as well be a super hero. At the time of crisis in her country, she and her team manged to make a sci-fi filled music video with Iron Man Suit and an amazing Aerial shot of Cairo. I like the outfits and styles she chose to sport.

This is most certainly a dance track for people who like Red Bull. I love the mastering and the computer affect on the track, but I had to say it I am not sure if this is her natural vice or some computer affects, but in both cases, she might need more vocal coaching.

Nariman Mansour - Bab'a Btabe'ty / ناريمان منصور - ببقى بطبيعتي

The Media Loves To Pick On Menna Fadali

She is an Egyptian entertainer who seems to do nothing right according to the males in the media. She is only 30 years old, but Egyptian press loves to bash her. She is like their own version of Lindsey Lohan. Lately, she has been dubbed as Mena and Her Five Scandals. Let's get dirty, shall we?

• Her birthday and the leaked photos of her having fun--she is not the first girl to have birthday party and things get out of control. She is no responsible for people with ill intentions who leaked those private photos.
• She wears "Hot" clothes and has a tattoo? c'mon people! You mean to tell me all those Lebanese celebrities you celebrate in Egypt are all hookers? They bring them to Egypt for their hot clothes and their tats.
• Again, leaked pictures of her wearing a bikini on the beach! Why are you not locking up the people who took those pictures? Do you want people taking pictures of your sister on the beach--even people not wearing bikinis get picked on.
• She was assaulted while on a car with a famous dancer--she accused them of stealing her stuff and valuables. She accused people from the Sinai of doing that. This is stupid and I cannot defend that. If it was true, then she has every right to be pissed. This is hardly a scandal. Women go with guys all the time and it's legal.  
• Supposedly her erratic behavior lead to her third breakup--we now know his family did not approve of her. She pledged to not fall in love again and focus on her work instead. 

So give Menna a break, she is hardly a saint, but can we see something good about her. I have also seen a number of comments describing Menna is a Palestinian--maybe she has a parent who is one. The term is used as an insult.

منة فضالى أغنية ان راح منك يا عين

Video: Hip Song, Cool Music Video Effects

Dude can sing and he seems to have made a song in the tradition of Amr Diab. The young and charismatic singer Bassem Abd El Wahab has released a music video for one of his catchy songs. I am loving the computer effects on his video. It's really exciting and has taken some serious work and talent. And yes, he posses a sense of style worthy of the finest rapper.

The song does not disappoint, I do like the nerdy looking model that appeared alongside Bassem. Some might have opinions about the FBI tee and the shades he is wearing. The song is pretty hot and it's not the summer yet. I think the electronic and funky music is something we do not hear much of in Arab pop, but it's making a comeback.


Bassem Abd El Wahab - Kalamy Annak / باسم عبد الوهاب - كلامي عنك

All My Arabs Song Salutes The UAE Leaders

The term Arab is loosely defined by so many people. For some it means the Bedouin, for others it's anyone who lives in those 21 Arab countries. Some even argue that anyone who speaks Arabic is Arab, but when it comes to music all bets are off.

Check out this song by the coolest pop singer from the Gulf namely the UAE, Hussein Al Jassmy. He has made Gulf music popular and has done that for at least 10 years now. While most Gulf based singers stopped catering for other markets than the ones at home, Hussein took the gold as he is a mega star in Morocco, Egypt, Lebanon and all the nation on the Gulf

So he did a suck up job for the ruler of Dubai--one of the best Arab leaders to walk on earth. He is a business guy and a real Arab which means he is generous. His people adore him and he gets respect anywhere he goes. As someone who grew up in Dubai, I have come to appreciate the leaders of that world class city.

The difference between this song and other songs made for other leaders--the singer did not have to do it and he was not paid a penny.

حسين الجسمي - كل العرب

Best Middle East Act, Who Should Take Home The MTV Award?

Accorsing To MTV EMA 2012 award nominations, there are five different entertainers from the Middle East who are up for the Best Middle East Act. As a music blogger, I only know three of them and the rest I have no idea who they are. And I think this should be a warning sign for the organizers. 

1. Ahmed Soultan, He Stands Behind A New Music Style He Calls Afrobian, For Afro-Arabian. He Comes From The Land Of Morocco Where He Has Taken Part Of Many Music Festivals And So Far He Has Released Two Albums To Date. If creativity is to win, Ahmed may be the winner of the night.
2. K2rhym, A Tunisian Rapper (Karim Algharbi) Signed By EMI France To Make Music In 2006 When He Made The Switch From Professional Football.  He Is Based In Lebanon Where He Keeps A Busy Schedule. He Wins The Most Creative Name There Is. If interesting life and indie persona to win, K2rhm is it is.
3. Karl Wolf, the Biggest Name On This List And More International Fame Than Middle Easter Fame. Canadian Lebanese R&B Singer. He makes good music and most recently he has done a duet with Sandy, who is on the same nomination. If international name recognition counts, he is the awardee.
4. Qusai, Smooth Saudi Rapper with Great Songs In Both Arabic And English. Had A Big Hit Album Earlier This Year, And Does Fresh Music That Appeals To Arabs And Non-Arabs alike. He does make fresh raps and seems like a good role model. If CD sales where to vote, he might as well win.
5. Sandy, The Biggest Celebrity On This List, A Pop Princess Known In Egypt And The Rest Of The Arab World, She Is Very Resourceful And Very Exciting To Man People In The Area. She Has At Least Three Albums To Her Name, And Has Generated Fame And Success In Concerts Mainly In Egypt. If YouTube video views can vote, Sandy will go home with the award. 

ahmed soultan-ya salam

The Always Sad Mohammad Ramadan New Really Sad Song

The alum of the TV show Star Academy Mohammad Ramadan seems to be happy doing sad songs. He has released about four singles so far and each of them tops the previous one in being sad and heartbreaking. Why would a young man who has a bright future be so sad is beyond me.

No wait, it pays well. He has a promo out for his latest single which he recorded in the Lebanese dialect where most of his songs seem to fit naturally. Ramadan has many fans out there, they seem to enjoy his singing style and approve of his choices.

Watch inside the recording studio teaser and entire song as well.

مـحمد رمضــان - صعبــه - Mohammad Ramadan - Sa3beh


 قـريبا محمد رمضان - صعبة - Soon Mohammad Ramadan - Sa3bi

Grace Ashkar Will Not Sing Professionally, OK?

Joe Ashkar has a lovely wife and a mother of his children. She sang live, she released a song or two, yet she continues to make the case that she will not be a professional singer. Even though she can carry a note in both Arabic and English, Grace has zero interest in singing.

Grace Ashkar just performed live with Michael Fadel in a concert in Beirut, she also released a song late last year, but she maintains the song has a social message. She will continue doing such songs to promote various causes. She has also argued that doing two songs live with a musician friend was just a fun thing to do. So she will not be releasing any tracks anytime soon. It seems Joe and his wife are on agreement on this matter. So do not get excited.

One comment, who really cares?

Grace Ayanian in Michel Fadel Concert 3al Lebneneh in Beirut Holidays 2012
  

WATCH: Sugar Pop And Oral Fixation Music Video

I know guys are idiots, otherwise we won't have to see music video like the one below. Something about women and candy makes guys lose their minds. We had Maria start up the fad in 2005, but in 2010 another young lady used lollipops as props for her music video. Neither of those ladies is seven years old.

Michaella is her name and there's about a mile between her and being called talented. That does not make her a bad person. Her song is about a guy who tells her buddies she is all over him and she is crazy about him. She has to put him on his place.

Trouble, the dude looks like a turd bag and he seems older than Michaella. Not sure where the songstress career stands at the moment and it remains a mystery if she regrets this music video. One thing Michaella did here, she went for cute and not sexy. She has to be given credit for that at least.  

Michaella - Aal Leshaboh / ميكايلا - قال لأصحابه

Who Makes Better Music? Egypt Or Lebanon

Egypt has always been there as the home of Arabic music, anyone who is anybody must make a stop in Egypt in order to be on the radar. Because most TV networks have traditionally been based there, Egypt is a huge market and they tend to have an industry going in there full time. To Egypt, entertainment is their black gold. A cash cow of sort that keeps many families afloat.

But in the early 2000,  the power has started to shift, Lebanon has stabilized, and has been made the home of many TV networks and cool cafes. More and more Lebanese venture into music--movies are only coming from Egypt, but in music the Egyptian pop has been losing traction to generations of Lebanese stars who have returned home to make good music. The ones in Lebanon has also taken advantage of internet marketing, they no longer have to go to Egypt to be famous, they can have their own show on the internet and make money form home--in theory.

Also Lebanon tends to be a lot more liberal than the entertainment industry in Egypt--less censorship and more investments form wealth business men from the Arab Gulf who seem to have bet their money in Lebanon. Combined with a zombie phase most Egyptian composers have gone under--they were not making hot records from 2002--to 2008. What was the last Amr Diab hit? In that phase Tamer Hosny has prospered and good hard working entertainers were left in the dark.

But then again the Gulf started buying out all those big names, they would hire the top entertainers from Egypt and Lebanon, give their amazing lyrics--mostly poems and invite them to record the songs free of charge. Sometimes the Arab entertainer would make a bank from one hit song. The Gulf still buys music--they can afford to. And they tend to be more generous with their concerts and private events--no star would turn them down.

Yes, Egypt has kept its place, they were down for few years, but starting 2010 and better songs are coming out from that country, better albums and bigger stars. Sure, the Arab Spring did not help, but everyone was done for a while. Egypt will always be there, it's a sure thing. They have an industry that's a 100 year old--no other Arab country come even close. Sure, some might hate the Egyptian dominance, but at ultimately, they are 90 million strong.

I would put my money on Egypt any-day, but that does not mean that Lebanon cannot compete, in face I think competition is great for everyone. 

And The Best 2012 Arabic Pop Album Goes To...

Mahmoud El-Esseily is a pop star of a different kind, he does pop songs form the heart and he does not chase after what's popular like house music. He keeps it real and his lyrics speak about more than love and the ladies. In his album you will find different themes, friendship. loyalty, country and the love of his life. Today's pop stars do not seem to want a new challenge--they are happy making mediocre songs. Not this Esseily album. It stands out among the many 2012 albums.

The album delivers many different songs that will have you singing along. The album does offer its listeners a free therapy where your can put all your frustrations aside and sing along with the artist as his songs and chorus sound so friendly to their ear and the soul. This is what distinguishes good pop form mediocre pop. The first lifts up your spirit.

I did not expect this album to be this good, but I am glad it was. Mahmoud El-Esseily manged to make the best pop album for 2012. The album has different styles, and Mahmoud hits all the right notes and adapts his voice to carry a song. Like that track about his best friend who has left us, it's a bittersweet song where the singer put his heart on display. The song is dedicated for the many souls that was murdered during the soccer game late last year.

And there are the songs made for the homeland, tomorrow will be better. Most songs about Egypt preach the time lesson, Mahmoud keeps them interesting and draws images only a poet is capable of recreating. El-Esseily only takes himself seriously when he has to, his albums reveals a great deal of humor. Like the song about the pharmacy and the Tahrir Square. I know I and a lot of ladies would appreciate his apologetic track about El-Esseily's obsession with blonde hair. He makes it right with the ladies of Egypt.

I can tell you this, the album is so good that I am certain other pop stars are analyzing it to learn from it. This is how you really make an album, you make it when you are ready to record and when you have something new to perform. Recreating old formulas won't make you special anymore. I know El-Esseily broke the mold and presented a great fusion of musical themes and verbosity that will carve a place for the hip pop star.

01.Dehkah
02.Eisha Helwa
03.Eshtaghalony
04.Donia Gdeda
05.Set El Setat
06.Adeny Baaiesh
07.El-Leyla
08.Enta Meny
09.Hankhaf Men Eah
10.Nazra Fe Eineky
11.Warak Warak
12.El-Agzakhanah
13.Aysheen
14.Mabsout Fe Makanak

Mahmoud El-Esseily Shayaf 2012 محمود العسيلى شايف


P.S. for some reason, the album has been removed form YouTube and the clips on there have no sound due to copyrights issues.

سيمبلات البوم حماده هلال ماتقولهاش Samples Hamada Helal 2012

Hamada Helal is back with a new album, and we are all enjoying the samples for this upcoming album. I am loving each of the tracks Hamada will release. Sweet, happy, funny and heartbroken are the colors of the upcoming album. Hamada manages to do what other stars fail so bad in doing which is recreating his old songs with new material and song songs. He works withing a formula.

It works for Hamada because he keeps the album energizing as you can dance and part to this album. Not using fancy words helps, by finding middle ground language. Most people who are asking a fun album, they are not looking for a mental workout. Not exactly street language and not that one you need to go to school to process. Keeping humor is also a signature Helel move, it helps him be one of us--he is not too rigid.

Hamada is on top of pop culture reference and when he brings them in his songs it seems he is speaking to his doorman not to his university professor. In one track Helal wears a sponge bob costume and wins the kids over. But he also keeps college kids with a couple sad songs where he lets his emotion out of the bag. This is how you keep a balance and this is how you move records.

I can assure you this, Hamada's album is a golden chance for the cassette market to redeem itself. Everyone in the streets of Egypt and beyond want to be buddies with Helal. They can take a peice of him with them home when they purchase his album.

Enjoy the sample  

 سيمبلات البوم حماده هلال ماتقولهاش Samples Hamada Helal 2012

Video: Sex And The City Mai Hariri & Fulla - Bahwak / مي حريري و فلة - بهواك

Female musicians do not collaborate often, not clear why. There has not been many duets where ladies share the stage and the lines of a song. But there is no conventional wisdom that says one is not supposed to do that.  It took two ladies in their prime to bring about fresh music video between two Arab ladies in recent history.

Lebanese Mai Hariri  and Algerian Fulla released a duet and a music video to go with their romantic song. Together offer one lethal combination, the incredible looks, the unmatched sense of style and most of all their singing voices. Each of the songstress does her thing very well, I love the Algerian part performed by Fulla--I think she should do more of this.

The music video had to be glamorous, lots of fashion, nice homes and fancy cars. This is the rich life everyone, get used to it. It feels like it has been filmed somewhere in Hollywood. And yes, there's an eye candy shirtless guy by the pool too. The music is your average house mix upbeat track. When you watch the music video, the lyrics are the last thing on your mind.

The music videos has it's Disney"up" moment with balloons and all. Not sure how I feel about ladies stepping on almost naked dudes. The dancers make the song relevant to some folks. I think the director for this clip deserves an ward for mixing so many different elements and making a watchable music video

Mai Hariri & Fulla - Bahwak / مي حريري و فلة - بهواك

Greek Mandolin Music Inspires Arab Composers

For a really long time, many Arab singers have looked to Greek music for inspiration. Many Arabic began to feel a bit like the ones in Greek in the late to 90s. We can thank Amr Diab for that--he went to that country and made a hit song with one of its songstresses. Then came a new wave of Lebanese composers (Iwan) who took Greek melodies and made them into Arabic ones.

I now can tell if a track has been influenced by a Greek instrument or melody--it's easy. In fairness, Greece has always been closer to Arabia than to any Western civilization. Since the days of Alexander the Great and the shores of Egypt have been home to far too many natives of that land. This is one of the reasons the Egyptian city of Alexandria has an exotic beauty.

Here's a musical piece from Greece by NiKos, it sounds like a soundtrack for a movie. He draws music inspired by nature, the sea, birds and the hills.

   موسيقى رائعة للموسيقار اليوناني نيكوس-beginning belalim

Watch Waad Albahri's Breakout Music Video تجربه - وعد البحرى

She is Syrian and she is awesome. Syria never runs out of great female vocalists, they seem to grow them and nurture them on appreciating the classical music of Arabia. The latest voice to breakout of Syria is a young artist that lives in the Gulf and works in Egypt, she goes by the name Waad Albahri. Waad's first brush with fame is voicing Asmahan songs for a TV drama about the tragic life and death of that Diva.

Years later she released her debut album and it had a number of entertaining songs. Mostly sad songs, but it seems that dramatic female voices do well in this genre. That's why she made a music video for one of those songs...a breakup song where you will die if he leaves you but also die if you stay with them. I love how the story ends and how Waad could no longer stands on her own.

Look this is how vocal satisfaction sounds like, now we have a music video to go with it. The song is the star of this clip, there are no dancers and light shows, just the songstress with a background story that fades with her might voice. I hope people like this music video, Waad seems to be doing all the right things. Her voice is  the envy of so many of her female peers. According to a story, few songstress work behind the scenes to keep her form taking part of music festivals especially in the Gulf region.

This is how a calling card should look like...enjoy.

Tagrebah - Waad Albahri تجربه - وعد البحرى

Where Is Outlandish When You Need Them To Pop?

I was introduced to band Outlandish by an American roommate of mine at college. He comes from the great state of Washington and he was a fan. He thought I would like the band because they have Islamic feel to them and the lead vocalist has Moroccan origins (Isam Bachiri).

The band has Pakistani and Danish upbringings, two band mebers are Muslims and one Catholic from Cuban origins. he band does a fresh take on hip-hop/R&B/soul music. The bulk of their songs is in English, but they usually feature lyrics in Spanish, Urdu/Punjabi, Danish, and Arabic which gives their tracks an exotic flavor few global stars can claim.

Their hit song Aicha took the world by storm and was well received in places like Asia namely South Korea. Their other tracks often top the charts in European capitals. The band has participated in the Evening of Inspiration concerts since 2006.  They continue to be involved in a number of causes and their music inspires hope.

I have not heard any new songs from their band in at least three years now. Below is a track that I was touched by.

Outlandish Callin U

Mohamed Nabil The Sound That We Already Have

Some Egyptian pop sounds like car horns, that's one of the reasons most people who do not speak Arabic really hate Egyptian pop according to study done by an American economist. Here's a song by the voice of someone who has been dubbed the new voice his name is Mohammed Nabil.

The song is presented by Team Hamid Shari who has been creating pop stars since the 80 through his work in music production and arrangements. The song does not sound fresh and neither does the voice of Mr. Nabil. But in itself the song is not a terrible one for those who are already familiar with Egyptian pop.

Nabil sounds like Ehab Tawfik spot one....

الصوت الجديد محمد نبيل - مطنش

Where Have All The Decent Latifa Songs Gone?

Tamer Hosny is the causality of the Egyptian revolution, Latifa is the causality of the one in Tunisia. She was a friend of the regime, and they have always honored her and asked her to perform in their private and public events.

The revolution stars, she stays mum, the revolution wins she stays mum.Then she said stuff that might have offended some people. Bu frankly she has not had any good press in more than three years--even before the Arab Spring. I do recall reading a story from Latifa where she told of her new born niece named something after the new Tunisia.

Latifa is a great singer with a really nice voice which she used for both pop and Tarab songs. She made dozens of fun songs that remains with us and with many generations to come. But I do not know what it is with Latifa finding good songs or making time to release new material.

In few years, Latifa's political affiliation might be viewed as a good thing as the Islamic leaning politicians are already freaking out some people over there.

In the meantime, here's a song of Latifa's where she does a Tunisian dialect hit, something she has not done enough of lately.
لطيفة ـ ناره