Compilations that primarily try to introduce Western listeners to music from so-called exotic regions have mushroomed in recent years. Sometimes Japan of the seventies, sometimes India of the eighties, sometimes the Latin American region of the nineties is the home of the musical treasures that have been salvaged from unfamiliar realms in assiduous curation and, above all, licensing work. Surprisingly often, funk is the genre that sets the tone on these records. One would think that this is also the case on the second major compilation of the Berlin based label Habibi Funk, which according to the label contains an »eclectic selection of music from the Arab world«. In fact, there is much more than just the representation of a genre in minimally varying stylistic forms on the 14 tracks that the label makers have chosen, according to their own statement, not because of their popularity but because of their emotional significance. Fortunately, there is no attempt at all to draw a full picture, rather one picks out individual valuable glittering mosaic stones. Munir Khauli’s »Heik ha Nishtghil,« for example, is certainly funky with its life-affirming guitars, but spoken word pieces and cleverly placed breaks give the song almost modern club connotations. Ouiness’ »Zina« borders at times on standard rock, but also has a funky core, Ibrahim Hesnawi’s »Tendme« shows all disillusioned Chiemsee reggae summer visitors of yesteryear that the genre does indeed have good music to offer. Well done compilation!
Various Artists
Synthesizing The Silk Roads
Ostinato