Omar Souleyman
Dabke 2020

A Norman Records recommendation (21st May 2009)

This record left our Phil feeling ecstatic.

That Syrian madhead Omar Souleyman has his 2nd album released through Sublime Frequencies and it's totally bonkers. 'Dabke 2020' features 8 tracks of some of the most intense busy sounding nuts music you're ears will have the chance to feast on. If you're not familair with him he's this Syrian chap who takes Syrian folk music to a new level with a variety of different influences permeating everyone of it's tapped orifices. It progresses slightly from Highway To Hassake as Omar has picked up some sort of kazoo sounding thing which is used in an incredible way in places where you just wouldn't expect it. If this is what all music is like in Syria then I want to go there!! It's also one of the few records in the office which united us all in like as there's only a tiny amount of things all of us end up liking. My only criticism is the bad packaging and the exorbitant cost of Sublime Frequencies records but there's nowt we can do about that. This is proper party music and as someone said in the office today.... 'techno music for Syrian cab drivers'. Smashing!

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Sound clips for Dabke 2020

Atabat Play

Lansob Sherek Play

Shift Al Mani Play

La Sidounak Sayyada Play

Jamila Play

Qalub An Nas Play

Laqtuf Ward Min Khaddak Play

Kaset Hanzai Play

What their label says...

Sublime Frequencies is pleased to present the second volume of Northeast Syrian dabke music from legendary vocalist Omar Souleyman and his group. This CD was compiled by Mark Gergis to coincide with the Sublime Frequencies UK/European tour in May and June of 2009, featuring live performances by Omar Souleyman himself.

Culled from dozens of cassettes recorded in Syria from 1999-2008, the music here is an extension of Omar's Highway to Hassake: Folk & Pop Sounds of Syria (SF 031CD) release, touching on some previously-unheard angles. Their trademark serpentine synthesizers, electrified bouzok (traditional stringed instrument) and driving rhythms forge a severe form of "new wave dabke" with a live energy and integrity that captures the essence of the Syrian Northeast; one-of-a-kind Syrian dabke party tunes, regional atabat-styled crooners, and unbelievable Iraqi party jams.

The CD is packaged in a cardboard sleeve with a paper insert.
Track Listing

01. Atabat (A Sung Folk Poetry)
02. I Will Make A Trap
03. Shift Al Mani (I've Seen Her)
04. La Sidounak Sayyada (I Will Prevent The Hunters From Hunting You)
05. Jamila (The Beautiful One)
06. Al Khalub An Nas (People's Hearts)
07. Laqtuf Ward Min Khaddak (I Will Pick A Flower From Your Cheek)
08. Kaset Hanzal (Drinking From The Glass Of Bitterness)

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