Ahmed Adaweya | Salamitha Oum Hassan (Chandor, 1973)

 

Technically speaking, we don't know the true year of this record's pressing; 1973 was the year it was released on Egypt's Sout El Hob, who licensed it to French label Chandor. The A-Side of this record is one of Ahmed Adaweya's most well-regarded tracks. On the surface, Hassan Abu Itman's lyrics for "Salamitha Oum Hassan" constitute an exhortation for "Oum Hassen" (Mother of Hassen), who believes her son Hassen to be possessed by the evil eye, to get well soon.

The implied meaning is that "Oum Hassan" is a stand-in for for Mother Egypt, and Adaweya is lamenting her wounded pride six years after the so-called Six Days War with Israel. Two English-language translations of the song appear on this website. It's a terrific recording, with limited but powerful percussion, handclaps, trumpet, horns, a female chorus, and Adawaya's incredible voice. 

Farouq Salama composed the music for the track along with that of the mawal on Side B. 

(Listen to "Salamitha Oum Hassan")

(Listen to "Mawal Atchaane")