| Current Big Sellers
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| Carole Samaha’s second album Ana Horra (I Am Free) is sure to be a big seller, with her first single “Ghali ‘Alayi” (Dear To Me) already going up the radio charts with its infectious Spanish-style trumpets and music. The album’s second release single “Nezlet Essitara” (The Curtain Has Been Drawn) is slower and more serious, allowing listeners to really hear Samaha’s soft, yet powerful voice. “Hob El-Rouh” (Love Of My Soul) is another exceptional song on her album, and with its mandolin and Spanish guitar you seriously feel like getting up and dancing a little flamenco! Samaha’s album is an interesting combination of dance songs with oriental and European influences and slower, more profound songs about love and heartbreak. Although the album is varied in its styles, one thing remains constant throughout: Samaha’s delicate and smooth voice. |
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| Fadl Shaker Sahharny El-Shouq |
| Throughout Fadl Shaker’s superb album, his voice is soft and smooth and he chooses songs which are generally mood-lifters about the good side of love. The first track “Sahharny El-Shouq” (The Longing Kept Me Up) is one of the best. Everything from Shaker’s voice, to the music, to the lyrics, which he wrote, is impressive. Another great number is “Gowayya” (Inside Me), which shows off Shaker’s remarkable talents. Overall, the album is worth buying. Shaker’s choice of songs is great, the music is pleasant and his voice never falters. |
| Even though Haifa doesn’t have a very strong voice, and we can all say with confidence that singing isn’t her greatest asset, her newest album is quiet impressive. The songs picked don’t need to be sung by Whitney Houston and are specifically tailored for Wahbe’s sexy, breathy, half-singing/half-speaking delivery. “Ana Haifa” (I Am Haifa) might sound a little arrogant but it is a very cool dance track. With house beats combined with Arabic drums, the song is sure to be big in clubs. “Bahebak Hob” (I Love You So Much) is another dance track, but this time a lot more oriental. The same also applies to “Makhatish Baly” (I Didn’t Notice), and “Fakerny” (You Think), which starts off with belly dancing beats. Her first release single “Ya Hayat Albi” (My Darling) has sizzled up the charts. The 13 tracks are all worth listening to, but work better on the dance floor. |
| In an album that carries Fouad’s spirit and style throughout, the singer covers the different aspects of love, particularly having your heart broken. As usual Fouad uses his unique blend of pop and oriental melodies with a touch of folk music. But don’t expect continuous whining about the hardships of breakups; Fouad robustly describes how he got over his love in one track after the other. In the upbeat opener “Tayeb Tayeb” (Ok, Ok) he vows to get back at the woman who hurt him because he is just as cruel. In an overall mood that is generally uplifting, Fouad experiments with different types of music. The result is tracks like “Eyh Dah Gamalo” (How Beautiful) in which he raps to oriental music, but keeps it from sounding too Western. But it is Fouad’s performance that is the album’s greatest asset as he manages to vary the tone of his voice from the longing lover in “Habibi Ya” (My Love) to the man who finds it hard to tell his lover that he can’t take her back after all she’s done in “Heml Garh” (Enduring Being Hurt). A great album, that comes highly recommended. |
| After impressing us with their first album Ya Leil (Oh Night) and proving that they are talented singers, songwriters and musicians, Egyptian boy-band WAMA, have done it again. Their second album Ya Ghaly ‘Alya (Dear To Me) is a wonderful combination of oriental music, classical piano, dance beats and Boyz II Men-style singing. The title track is riveting; with a bit of a Mediterranean dancey feel to it. “Tehlefly Assada’” (Swear To Me And I’ll Believe) is just as impressive, with a chorus that is almost contagious in its ability to stay in your head. And “A’rably Min Rouhy” (Closer To Me Than My Soul) is reminiscent of 90s’ R&B with its accapella singing. Although the band members are obviously heavily influenced by soul and R&B, they have managed to put together a lovely combination of Western and Oriental melodies and instruments. So instead of just sounding like a bunch of Egyptian boys trying to be an American R&B group, they have succeeded with an original sound of their own. |
| Yasser (Abdel Moneim) was a member of last year’s Star Academy but was voted out early in the season. But he didn’t let this discourage him and went off and made an album himself. Alas, as a whole the album isn’t great, but Yasser’s voice and appearance in his debut video “Yally” show definite potential. Shot in black and white, with Yasser looking very much like an Egyptian young Marlon Brando-type, he could be our next Egyptian singing sex-symbol. And with a full, deep voice, Yasser shouldn’t have much trouble gaining fans but needs to be more selective with the songs he picks. Out of 10 tracks, the album only offers two really impressive ones. The rest are quite unoriginal. |
| Encore seems to prove that Mr. Marshal Mathers has matured quite a bit since his last album. Although he’s still just as silly and offensive as before on several of the tracks, the more serious songs show a different side to the sarcastic rapper. The album veers between being sometimes mature, sometimes goofy. The perfect example is the contrast between his first single “Just Lose It” making fun of everything and everyone, including himself and Jackson and the more serious “Yellow Brick Road.” The song has an autobiographical element and shows Eminem’s ability to be brutally honest even if it means making himself look bad. “Like Toy Soldiers” talks about the problem with ‘rapper wars’ and how the multi-platinum rapper and his buddy 50 Cent have been drawn into this vicious circle without wanting to. Guests on the album include Nate Dogg, Dr. Dre, Obie Trice and of course, 50 Cent himself. |
| Vanessa Carlton Harmonium |
| Vanessa Carlton just gets better with each album. Establishing herself as a talented singer, pianist and songwriter (having written or co-written all the songs on the album), she is definitely making a point to be taken seriously. Her first single, “White Houses” talks about skeletons in the closet, only hers are hidden in ‘white houses.’ The self-penned “Who’s To Say” is a touching, heartfelt song. Talking about being in a relationship that no one believes in, she sings, “Who are they to say we won’t last?” Carlton’s voice is vulnerable at times, bitter at others. Her piano playing is great and her lyrics have a way of sounding like they’re your own. The album is a genuine collection of warm songs. |
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