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| Emel Mathlouthis's new album released in 2012 |
Emel Mathlouthi Kelmti
Horra 2012
-- All Tracks are FCC CLEAN --
Emel
Mathlouthi is a young Tunisian singer, songwriter, composer and guitarist whose
songs often address freedom. She sounds
like a blend between Joan Baez, Sister
Marie Keyrouz, and the Lebanese diva Fairuz. .
On this album, titled “Kelmti Horra” (My Word Is Free), she has recorded
many songs in Arabic, French and English addressing themes of freedom that seem
undeniably influenced by the Tunisian uprising.
The last 3 tracks on this CD are only available on this special issue.
1.
Houdou’on (Calm) Chant in Arabic followed by drum beats, dreamy vocals
5:31
**2. “Ma Lkit” (Not Found). Strong vocals crying out about life’s obstacles and the rarity
of friends. Starts slow then builds up
to symphonic level with drums. 3:58
**3. “Dhalem” (Tyrant) Starts out like a lullaby then almost operatic vocals in
classical Arabic. Nice harp sound 3:55
4. “Stranger” Sung in English. Oriental
beat set to whispery dreamy back vocals.4:12
5. “Ya Tounes Ya Meskina” (Poor Tunis). A lamentation. A sad song
for Tunisia set to seemingly patriotic beats.4:47
6. “Ethnia Twila” (The Road Is Long). Sung in Arabic and set to an interesting beat that fuses eastern
and western sounds and rhythms. 8:24
**7. “Kelmti Horra” (My Word Is Free) The title
track shows off Emel’s strong vocals, almost operatic in nature, singing with
heartfelt passion about freedom. 6:30
8. “Dfina” (Burial). Haunting vocals, sad rhythm
with strong guitar sound.6:23
9. “Hinama” (When) Sung in
classical Arabic. Sounds like poetry set
to music. Slow with many intentional
pauses.5:28
10.“Yezzi” (Enough) Classical
Arabic, about the Tunisian uprising.
Freedom is in the streets.7:15
11.“A L’Infini” (Infinity) Sung in French, melancholic song, about
a tortured soul.4:09
12. “Liberta” (Freedom) Mixes Arabic with different languages,
haunting song, sounds like a chant. 4:56
13. “14 Janvier”.
Commemorates the date in 2011 when the President of Tunisia fled
3:37
My
picks: 2, 3, & 7 Ramzi Salti