The Music of Mohamed Abdel Wahab

Mohamed Abdel Wahab was a titanic figure within Middle Eastern music. Composing for legends such as Egyptian singers Oum Kalthoum, Nagat El-Sagheera and the Lebanese vocalist Fairuz, he subtly expanded Arabic styles with Western rhythms while remaining rooted in tradition. This 1990 recording of his work by Simon Shaheen has gained renown as a seminal interpretation. Long out of print, it receives a much-needed reissue here.

Like Wahab himself, over his career Shaheen has combined a mastery of the oud with a penchant for broadening stylistic horizons and, aided by a fine ensemble, his renditions strike just the right note here, eschewing formal reverence for sensitive interpretation. Alongside his oud playing – which is dexterous rather than showy – his performance on the Western violin adds new textures to the music while the addition of a double bass throughout lends an understated pulse. Away from the innovations, the music plain sings, with brilliantly dramatic versions of ‘Al Hinna’ and ‘Ibnil Balad’, full of swooping and swirling strings, strong tabla rhythms, dancing flutes and emotive oud playing, and rousing choral pieces such as ‘Sittel Habayeb’ and ‘Bortuqal’ among the highlights.