Aida Al-Sha'er | Ah Ah Min Habibi (Soutelphan, 1972)

 

Beginning with its launch in 1960, Soutelphan released 7" 45 RPM singles with gorgeous painted likenesses of its artists. In 1968, the label upped their design game, pivoting from printed images of paintings to silkscreen covers. This trend lasted five years, until 1972, the year today's offering was released. (Note that Discogs distinguishes between Soutelphan and Soutelphan Records, which began releasing albums on LPs and later cassettes in 1965--they were the same company.)

We can't express how gorgeous the silkscreened covers are. We are not fiends for original cover art -- the music is what it's all about -- but we'd be lying if we said that finding Soutelphan singles from this five-year period doesn't inspire in us a particular kind of collector's rush.

Aida Al-Sha'er was born in Mansoura, Egypt, a city of just shy of a million people roughly halfway between Tanta and Damietta. She was married to the singer Sayed Ismail, whose work we'll get around to sharing someday soon.

The two tracks on this single were composed by Mounir Mourad, the famous singer Layla Mourad's brother.

Side A's "Ah Ah Min Habibi" opens with a rollicking orchestra, guitar, and organ groove that doesn't quite prepare you for the understated drive and charm of Al-Sha'er's voice. Side B opens by turning the heat up with a heavier emphasis on percussion, organ, and accordion. A terrific record all-around, absolutely worthy of the beautiful silkscreen cover that houses it.

(Listen to "Ah Ah Min ")

(Listen to "Ya Aishaqin")