Limited edition of 500
part of the 45RPM series of Souma Records
Following its highly sought-after Zamaan Ya Sukkar compilation, Souma Records once again presents a collection of 3 singles with inimitably groovy Egyptian and Lebanese exotica, unearthed from the hallowed vaults of Sono Cairo and Voix De L’Orient’s archives. These rare gems, born from a time of boundless musical experimentation in the Arab world, capture the vibrant, ever-evolving soundscapes of Cairo, Beirut, and beyond. Each track invites listeners onto a sonic voyage where the familiar and the avant-garde intertwine, revealing a sound that is as timeless as it is revolutionary.
Maggid Tewfik – Mazzika Nicab Parts 1 & 2:
Released in 1973, Mazzika Nicab by Egyptian film director and iconic figure Maggid Tewfik is a trippy instrumental journey into the experimental realms of baladi music. Known for his prolific career as a director and DOP in over 30 Coptic films, Tewfik’s composition, split in two parts, presents a moody yet undeniably cheeky tune that is unlike anything found in Egyptian music over the ages.
The track is a hypnotic blend of Eastern rhythms and Latin grooves, featuring an early drum machine that guides the track through its jubilant and stormy atmosphere. This mechanical beat is paired with funky garage sounds, creating a psychedelic fusion that evokes images of an epic cinematic score, where belly dance meets the raw energy of late-60s experimental rock. Belly-dance sci-fi perhaps..?
Muhammad Al-Najjar
London, April 2025
credits
Audio restoration and vinyl mastering: Colin Young
Lacquer cut: Timmion cutting lab
Sleeve and label artwork: Grotezk Studio
Under License of Sono Cairo
