REVISITING A GOLDEN AGE

A vinyl reissue celebrates the legacy of 'Algerian Rose' Warda

- JOHN CLEWLEY

Arabic popular music produced several divas in the 20th century, with each blessed with a powerful distinctive voice.

Some of them included the “Egyptian Immortal” Oum Kalthoum, who dominated Arabic radio with her expressive voice; “Algerian Rose” Warda; Farouz, “The Star of Lebanon”; and “Syrian Mystic” Asmahan, whose life was tragically cut short at just 32.

Each of these legendary singers recorded songs that have become fan favourites, such as Kalthoum’s Al Atlal or Warda’s Harramt Ahibbak. Kalthoum and Farouz both appeared in the column some years back during reviews of Arabic street music, but I have only mentioned Warda in passing. Now fans have a chance to hear Warda on her 1975 cult classic album We Malo (So What?), a reissue of which is being released by the wewantsounds label later this month.

Warda is a much-sampled artist — hip-hop musicians such as Jay-Z have sampled her distinctive grooves, particularly from her 1970s recordings.