New Arabology Podcast Showcases Top 20 (Alternative) Arabic Songs of 2017

The latest episode of Arabology (aired February 2018) featured the Top 20 Alternative/Indie Arabic Songs of 2017--according to an unofficial poll of selected Stanford students and KZSU 90.1 FM listeners.  You can listen to the show below or at https://soundcloud.com/arabology/top2017



Now in its 7th year, Arabology is a radio program that is hosted by Dr. Ramzi Salti, Lecturer at Stanford University, showcasing music and other cultural productions from/about the Arab world.  The program airs on KZSU 90.1 FM (Stanford University) and previous podcasts can be found here.

The massive amount of talented musicians from the Arab world who emerged and re-emerged in 2017 made for a particularly competitive chart this year and included fiercely independent musicians and singers from all over the globe, including Muzdawaj (Jordan), Amine Souikra + Khawla Kayour (Morocco), Alsarah & the Nubatones (Sudan), Ahmad Zoubi (Jordan), Mahmoud Badrawy (Egypt), Temenik Electric ft Mehdi Haddjeri (Algeria), Mahmood Jrere and Tamer Naffar (Palestine/Israel), 47SOUL (Bilad El Sham), Blaak Heat (France/USA) Ft Fareed Al-Madain (Jordan), Mirage (Jordan), Hana Malhas (Jordan), Kabreet (Yemen/Germany), Tamer Qarrain (Jordan) Ft Lara Elayyan, Mashrou' Leila (Lebanon) + Hercules and Love Affair (USA/Belgium), Mike Massy ft Malek El Yaman (Lebanon), Emsallam (Jordan), Yasmine Hamdan (Lebanon), Tania Saleh (Lebanon), and Maryam Saleh (Egypt) + Tamer Abu Ghazaleh (Palestine) + Maurice Louca (Egypt).

The show also featured amazing instrumentals (which served as soundbeds) by The Spy from Cairo, Rasasawt (ft Kamel Badarneh), City of Djinn, Blaak Heat, Maghnatees, Hello Psychaleppo, DJ Lethal Skillz & Beatlalipos, Abdullah Miniawy, Ramy Mishriky, and Imed Alibi.  These instrumentals will be played in full on a future show.

Here is the list of Arabology's Top 20 Songs of 2017 (starting from #20 and ending with #1) 

Arabology 11.4: Top 20 Alternative Arabic Songs of 2017

Counted down from #20 to #1 Song of the Year (last row)

Chart Position	Artist	Song	Album	Label
Intro Music:  Spy from Cairo “Sahir” from Nothing New Under the Sun on Wonderwheel Recordings
#20	Mashrou Leila + Hercules & Love Affair	Are You Still Certain?	Omnion	Big Beat/ Atlantic Rec
#19	Muzdawaj	Ala Bali (Vocal Mix) على بالي	Muzdawaj	Khaled Nweiran
Music:  Spy from Cairo “Sirens of the Nile” from Open Sesame on Wonderwheel Recordings
#18	Amine Souikra Ft Khawla Kayour	7ali Ma3ak حالي معك	The Code	Amine Souikra Ezzanaidi
#17	Alsarah & the Nubatones	Ya Watan (Captain Planet Remix)	Manara Remixed	Wonderwheel Recordings
#16	Ahmad Zoubi	Ghorbeh غربة	Single	Ahmad Zoubi
Music: Spy from Cairo “Open Sesame” from Sirens of the Nile/Open Sesame on Wonderwheel Recs
#15	Mahmoud Badrawy	Mati7sibhash ماتحسبهاش  (Acoustic)	Single	Richard Elhaj
#14	Temenik Electric Ft Mehdi Haddjeri	Zakia	Inch’Allah Baby	Nomad Café Production
Music: Rasasawt (ft Kamel Badarneh) “Qalandia Gate” from Music for Checkpoints album
#13	Mahmood Jrere	I’m from There انا من هناك	Rhythm of the Tribe أيقاع القبيلة	Mahmood Jrere
#12	Tamer Naffar	Johnny Mashi	Single	Tamer Naffar
Music: City of Djinn “Hakawati” from City of Djin on Somnimage (1:06:02)
#11	47Soul	Mo Light رف الطير	Balfron Promise	Cooking Vinyl Limited
Music: Blaak Heat “Al-Andalus” from The Arabian Fuzz 7” on Svart Records
#10	Blaak Heat Ft Fareed Al-Madain	Marr El Kallam مر الكلام	Arabian Fuzz 7”	Svart Records
Music: Maghnatees “Madar (Orbit)” from Maghnatees album  ©Ghassan Birumi (1:23:40)
#9	Mirage Ft Dina Ra’ad Yaghnam	Ghawali غوالي	Banatalghaim	Mirage Records © K flicks
#8	Hana Malhas	Nasi ناسي	Single	Universal Music MENA
#7	Kabreet	Tefham تفهم	Bidayat بدايات	Kabreet
#6	Tamer Qarrain Ft Lara Elayyan	Let Go!  هلا تركنا	A Call for Joy  دعوة للفرح	A Call for Joy
Music: Hello Psychaleppo “Bulbul” from Toyour album © Hello Psychaleppo (1:54:25)
#5	Mike Massy + Malek El Yaman	Qalbi قلبي	Single	Malek El Yaman
Music: DJ Lethal Skillz & Beatlalipos “Under Pressure تحت الضغط “ from Iqa3 Mokhtalef
#4	Emsallam (Prod. The Archiducer)	Khanaka خانك الطرف الطموح	Postcolonialism ما بعد الاحتلال	Msallam Hdaib
#3	Maryam Saleh Maurice Louca Tamer Abu Ghazaleh	Teskar Tebki تسكر تبكي	Lekhfa  الاخفاء	Mostakell
Music: Abdullah Miniawy “Leaving Munchen” from Ihsan Means Beauty © Abdullah Miniawy
#2 TIED	Yasmine Hamdan	Balad بلد	Al Jamilat الجميلات	Ipecac Rec
	Tania Saleh	Happy about Something  فرحاً بشيء ما	Intersection تقاطع	Kirkelig Kulturverksted
Music: Ramy Mishriky “Intrepide” (Single) on Baci Recordings
Music: Imed Alibi “Solo Percussions” from Salhi album © 2017 Salhi (2:44:24)
#1	Cairokee	Kont Faker كنت فاكر	Noaata Beida نقطة بيضا	Egyptlink

Listen to Arabology 11.4 Podcast (Feb 2018) below or at https://soundcloud.com/arabology/top2017

New Arabology Podcast (June-July 2017) Ft. Indie Arabic Music + Interviews

https://soundcloud.com/arabology/arabology113

The latest episode of Arabology--which airs on KZSU 90.1 FM in California--featured a large selection of new indie/alternative music from the Arab world (playlist below) as well as interviews with two Tunisian celebrities:  Musician Skander Guetari (3-part interview ft his songs) and Stanford student Nesrine Mbarek who spoke to us about her exciting project titled Tunisia88.

You can listen to the show below or at https://soundcloud.com/arabology/arabology113



Playlist for Arabology 11.3 (June-July 2017) Artist/Track/Album:

1. Amine Souikra/ Apocalypse/ Apocalypse
2. DJ Ghazi/ Oum Kalthoum Ya Leilet El 3ed Remix/ Single
3. Maryam Saleh + Crash Nomada/ Leih Ya Hamam/ Single
4. Maysa Daw/ Ayonak/ Between City Walls
5. Rahim El Haj/ Sailors Three/ Little Earth
6. Cairokee/ Kont Faker/ Noaata Beida
7. Mahmoud Badrawi/ Fi Hagat Ktir Mistaniyak/ Single
8. Jowan Safadi/ 7asait (I Felt)/ Single
9. Muzdawaj/ Droob/ Sirrak Fe Beer
10. Ruba Shamshoum/ Randomness (Radio Edit)/ Shamat
11. Luay Hijazeen/ Kaen/ Single
12. DAM/ Street Poetry/ Street Poetry
13. Youmna Saba/ 40-2/ Arb'een (40)
14. Amine Souikra/ Last Sunset/ Apocalypse
15. Yuma/ Smek/ Chura
16. Interview with Skander Guetari (3 parts featuring musical excerpts)
17. Interview with Nesrine Mbarek of Tunisia88

Arabology is an American radio show that airs on KZSU 90.1 FM (Stanford University) and is hosted, in English, by Stanford Lecturer Dr. Ramzi Salti.

May 2017 Arabology Podcast Ft Alternative Arabic Music from MENA Region

Listen at https://soundcloud.com/arabology/arabology112

The latest Arabology podcast (May 2017) is now available and includes fresh alternative/indie music from Jordan, Syria, Palestine, Lebanon, Egypt, and Morocco.  Listen below or at https://soundcloud.com/arabology/arabology112




Playlist for Arabology 11.2 (Artist/Track/Album)

1. Kinematic/ Lalochezia/Ala'
2. El Morabba3 + DJ Mahmoud Helmy/Cigara Abl Man2om (Deep House Edit)
3. El Morabba3/ Shiber Maii/ Taraf Al Khait
4. Muzdawaj/ Yomain/Serrak Fe Beer
5. Luay Hijazeen /Law Yshoof/ Single
6. Basel Rajoub/ Bedaya (Start)/ The Queen of Turquoise
7. Suad Bushnaq/ The Curve/ The Road to Jenin (Soundtrack)
8. Ruba Shamshoum/ Hana/ Shamat
9. Samer Rashed/ Swing 25/ Gypsy Rhapsodies
10. Ahmad Kaabour (Qabur)/ Halawanji Ya Isma'eel/ Ounadikom
11. Rayan Habre/ Aa Bali Fell/ Taa' Ellak
12. Mike Massy/ Ma Tfell (Ne Me Quitte Pas)/ Le Délire
13. Ramy Adly/ Stairway to Heaven (Middle Eastern Version)
14. Nour Khan/ Layta Li/ Single
15. Aya Metwalli/ Beitak/ Beitak
16. Climax (Ft Chafik Elkhourouj + Amine Souikra)/ On My Own (Acoustic Version)/ Climax
17. Masaa/ Freedom Dance/ Freedom Dance
18. Kinematic/ Ana Bahr/ Ala'

Arabology is an American radio show that airs on KZSU 90.1 FM (Stanford University) and is hosted, in English, by Stanford Lecturer Dr. Ramzi Salti.

Jordanian Artist Tamer Al Ahmar Revives Cultural Icons in Unique Ways

Tamer Al-Ahmar displays some of his art in Amman, Jordan

I first stumbled upon Tamer Al-Ahmar's art when I was in Jordan in the summer of 2016.  His work--showcasing such cultural icons as Fairuz, Sabah, Um Kulthum and Dalida--immediately caught my eye and I resolved to meet this fine young artist who, several months later, agreed to speak with me via Skype about his work and background.

Tamer told me that had been interested in art ever since he can remember and, growing up, initially wanted to be a fashion designer.  In school, his drawings would be displayed and admired by students and faculty alike and he even had a private Facebook group where he drew memorable caricatures for selected friends who urged him to publish his work in different media.

Despite the fact that he majored in Business at the University of Jordan, Tamer always participated in art workshops and became very interested in the digital medium. Here, he credits Professor Alia Nemeh Haddad for recognizing his artistic talent and for encouraging to go further. "I did a presentation for one of her courses where I spoke about my art and she was amazed," he said. "She subsequently invited him to give various lectures about my art in different venues."

Tamer's first professional break came when he was hired by a Jordanian kids' magazine called Kidztimez where he began creating various characters.  "We started with two pages," he recalls, "then it turned into four then eventually I began designing their design cover."  See samples below.

 

His artistic journey then led him to begin immortalizing cultural figures he admired through his unique artistic style. "The first artwork I did was of Asmahan," he says, "and that piece was immediately commissioned by several stores in Amman who wanted to sell the poster. "I then continued the set by creating pieces for Fairuz, Sabah, Dalida, Shadia, Najat Al-Saghira and
Warda."  The set was subsequently displayed in various galleries, boutiques and stores in Amman--a step that solidified Tamer's reputation as one of Jordan's most groundbreaking artists.

Tamer Al-Ahmar with his artistic tribute to Fairuz

The unprecedented--and perhaps unexpected--interest in Tamer's art led him to join Society6, an online platform where anyone can purchase his art from prints and posters to imprinted T-shirts and other memorabilia.  The site offers worldwide service and timely delivery options. See THIS LINK.

Tamer's artwork can be ordered at https://society6.com/tameralahmarart

The success of Tamer's art, particularity the iconic series that initially launched his career, led the young artist to expand his "Diva Tributes" to include such icons as Souad Husni and Samira Tawfiq, as well as new pieces for Fairuz, Sabah, and Wadi El Safi.  He also issued a set of postcards in Jordan which have proved quite successful.

For his next project, Tamer is working on a series of male icons/singers--some of which he has already completed--including his tribute to legendary Egyptian crooner Abdul Halim Hafez,

In addition to his impressing oeuvre in digital pieces, Tamer has of late been working with Director Faisal Attrache on the movie poster for the latter's upcoming film, From the Mountain. "When Faisal saw my art, he immediately connected with me," he said. "We then worked for over two months to perfect the work, and it looks like Faisal will be using as the main poster for the film."

Poster for From the Mountain film, designed by Tamer Al-Ahmar

Tamer Al-Ahmar's art makes for a perfect, unique gift for anyone interested in cultural figures from the Arab world.  I myself just received my Fairuz phone cover--which I ordered from the Society6 website--and I love it!

For more info about Tamer Al-Ahmar's work, see facebook.com/tameralahmarart
To order various items featuring Tamer Al-Ahmar work, go to https://society6.com/tameralahmarart

Emel Mathlouthi Wows San Francisco (2017)

Emel Mathlouthi at Cafe du Nord, SF on May 16, 2017

Legendary Tunisian singer/songwriter/producer Emel Mathlouthi, whose early songs served as the soundtrack to the Tunisian Revolution and the Arab Spring, performed to a full crowd at San Francisco's Cafe du Nord on May 16, 2017.  The evening was one to remember for a long time to come.

Although this one-night only bay area performance mainly served to promote Emel's latest CD, titled Ensen, the performer did not shy away from singing some of her older hits, including her legendary song "Kelmti Horra"--a performance that brought the house down.

But perhaps the highlight of the evening was the impromptu songs that Emel sang with the audience which seemed quite content to sing along--even in Arabic--while demandeing encore after encore.  One of those priceless moments was captured in the video below where the Tunisian songstress, deluged by requests for more songs, was happy to oblige.

Video Highlights from Emel Mathlouthi's SF Concert: https://youtu.be/5k6mOxc1_kQ



The day following her SF concert, Emel performed in LA--the last stop on her US tour.