CD Review: Hossam Ramzy - Zeina, Best of Mohammed Abdul Wahab

Title: Zeina, Best of Mohammed Abdul Wahab
Artist: Hossam Ramzy
Available from: Hossamramzy.com, Maqam

I picked up this CD primarily because it has both Zeina and Aziza on it (and I really just can't say no to new versions of Aziza) But I am loving the whole album.

Mohammed Abdul Wahab was probably the most prolific Egyptian composer of the 20th century. Some of the most famous Egyptian classics are his compositions, many were songs composed for movies during the Golden Age of Egyptian cinema.

It's pretty awesome to hear what Hossam Ramzy has done with Mohammed Abdul Wahab's music. The instrumentation is very "modern Egyptian", where the instruments are totally traditional, but the quality and tone of the recording is totally modern. Like most of Ramzy's music, the drumming is clear and prominent, and the music is made to be easy to dance to.

Most of the songs are longer than I can generally use for performance, but I have been loving this CD for practice at home - the beat is so clear and solid. You know how old recordings sound kind of muddy? You know, because the recordings were mono, and they sound like the whole band was recorded with just a couple of microphones? This recording sounds like as if those fuzzy recordings were brought into focus, and the whole thing sounds like golden age music made sharper and brighter. If you can make use of 6-10 minute tracks, these are all completely instrumental, so no worrying about lyrics.

1. Zeina - 5:51- Wow, it starts with this beautiful kanoon, and then the flute comes in to take the melody. It's a really lovely arrangement. Especially since the flute is so airy and weightless, but the drums are mixed in to be very heavy. The middle of the song is very grounded and the music has a really rich texture. The song ends with a long fade-out.
   
2. Elhabayib ya Habiba - 7:31 - I got a very "mysterious and romantic" feel from this song. I know it sounds like a weird description, but the kanoon comes in for these quick little accents that really invite the dancer to accent with a pretty shimmy. The song is definitely faster than it sounds at first. The melody is at a pretty medium pace, but the beat is quite a bit faster. The song ends with a little drummy bit.
   
3. Khai Khai - 10:49 - This song has a very earthy feel, since it's starts right away with a solid maksoum rhythm and comes back to it more than once over the course of the song. It's got an incredibly lovely chiftitelli in the middle, where it's just the tabla keeping the slow rhythm, and a beautiful violin solo over top. It has a solid end suitable for a pose.
   
4. Olli Amallak Eih Albi - 6:53 - I heard this song, and it immediately sounded like "Egyptian movie music" to me. :) It is a very pretty song, and I think a dancer whose style is inherently elegant could really do something beautiful with this song.
   
5. Mawkib Ennoor - 7:15 - Oooh, this track starts with a slow and dramatic intro that really commands attention. The track retains that dramatic tone throughout, even when the tempo and drums pick up. The melody instruments remain languorous, and the ney and (I think) an accordion are used to great effect to keep the mysterious sound going. At about 4:30, it slows into an ayoub rhythm for about half a minute - long enough to get some hair tossing in, but short enough to keep it interesting.
   
6. Aziza - 4:55 - This is a very clean version of this song, with a very full sound. I have to admit, I personally prefer the more raw sound of Zikrayat's live recording but they are very different. This is a great version to use for performance, since it is a great-quality studio recording.  This song is full of little accent bits, and they are very clear and sharp in this version. The non-accent parts of the music are lush and full of instruments, it approaches the sound of an orchestra instead of a small ensemble.
   
7. Layali Ramadan - 5:34 - This entire track is pure kanoon solo, no drums, no nothing. and it is *breathtaking*. Like too beautiful to describe, you have to hear it for yourself.