Fayda Kamel | Ala Da Al-Aouna (Sono Cairo, 1967)

 

It's been a while. To quote all music bloggers after a long absence: "We'll definitely be more present moving forward." To quote the Sex Pistols: "We mean it, maaaan."

We're especially excited to note that this terrific, energizing Fayda Kamel single is the first 45 RPM we've posted that was released in 1967, a lean year in Egyptian 7" production -- at least, according to our collection. We have theories about that. We assume you may as well.

Fayda Kamel was an Egyptian actor and singer active from the tail end of the 1940s to the very dawn of the 1970s. Discogs lists one album on cassette, one 10" EP, one 78 RPM shellac record, and 20 7" 45 RPM singles.

This Fathi Higazi banger has never been up for sale on Discogs and we still can't believe our luck stumbling onto this copy early last year. Absolutely stunning strings, mad-frantic percussion, juicy flute squiggles, choice choral "Ya, Ya!"s, and of course Kamel's ultra-poised, semi-pissed-sounding, just slightly nasal voice. 

It's a bracing 8+ minutes that we can fully guarantee you'll be more than happy you spent time with. 

(Listen to "Ala Da Al-Aouna")