Traditional Songs from Syria

by Zein Al-Jundi

Overview

Taken under the wing of ARC's wunderkind Hossam Ramzy for a return album, former Syrian singing prodigy Zein al-Jundi here provides a nice span of Syrian song styles. Her accent may have diminished a bit thanks to 20-plus-years in the U.S., but her delivery is quite good nonetheless. The songs chosen come from the Muwashshah format, the Qadds of various substyles, Dawrs, folk songs, and more. Always, there is a beautiful poem underlying the song, with lush strings in the arrangement courtesy of Ramzy and his cohort. This is a nice album for an introduction to Syrian music, with some emphasis placed on the diversity of song, but with a consistently sultry voice to deliver it. Worth a listen for those already acquainted with Middle Eastern rhythms but with more knowledge of the Persian systems. Worth a little more for newcomers to the region's music. ~ Adam Greenberg

Product Details

Release Date:	11/23/2004
Label:	Arc Music
UPC:	0743037189828
Rank:	160787

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Zein Al-Jundi   Primary Artist,Vocals (Background),Vocals
Hossam Ramzy   Musical Direction,Egyptian Percussion
Maged Serour   Qanoun
Mohamed Fouda   Nay,Vocals (Background)
Adel Eskander   Violin,Vocals (Background)
Mohsen Adly   Keyboards,Double Bass
Taha Taha   Cello

Technical Credits

Salim El Masri   Composer
Zein Al-Jundi   Liner Notes,Improvisation,Composer
Hossam Ramzy   Mixing,Arranger,Engineer,Producer
Traditional   Composer
Diz Heller   Liner Notes,Pre-Mastering
Phil Thornton   Mixing
Al Turath Ensemble   Composer
Barbara Papadopoulos   Typesetting,Layout Design
Richard T. Nowitz   Cover Photo
Omar Batsh   Composer
Bakri El Kurdi   Composer
Laure Dakkash   Composer
Amin Al-Jundi   Composer
Sheikh Muhammad Al-Manbaji   Composer
Sheikh Ahmad Abu Khalil Al-Qabbani   Composer