Ziad Rahbani - Bennesbeh LabokraChou?

Cat. no: WWSLP44
Format: LP
Barcode: 3700604729822
Release Date: 7th May 2021
Genre: World Music

Ziad Rahbani’s cult album, “Bennesbeh Labokra...Chou?” originally released in Lebanon only and mixing arabic music with Jazz, Bossa Nova and other western influences, is hailed as an absolute classic.

The album is the soundtrack to his eponymous play and has been highly soughtafter by DJs and collectors around the world. Curated by Lebanese-born music expert Mario Choueiry from Institut du Monde Arabe in Paris, the album is reissued on vinyl for the first time since 1978, featuring original gatefold sleeve, remastered audio and a 2 page insert with a new introduction by Choueiry. 

“Bennesbeh Labokra... Chou?” is a skilful blend of Arabic music and Bossa-nova - “First Introduction” - the recurring theme of the album, groove - the funky beat of “Second Introduction” and the jazz vibe of “Variation’s 3 and 4.” It’s also interesting to hear an early version of “Al Bosta” which would grace Fairuz’s 1979 album “Wahdon” in a faster, funkier version.

With a knack for cinematic orchestrations reminiscent of Lalo Schifrin, Ziad Rahbani also brings more complex arrangements to the album on such tracks as “Variation 5” making the album such a rich listening. Undoubtedly one of the most important albums recorded in the Middle East.

Tracks: First Introduction / Variation 1 / Reda / Variation 2 / Al Bosta / Second Introduction / Variation 3 / Variation 4 / Wahda Balak / Variation 5 / Last Scene / Final Theme