Best of Amr Diab [Import]

1. Maham Kibirt Sugheir

2. Nour El Ain

3. Awedony

4. Moush Hade'af

5. Al Malak El Barea

6. Men Awwal Merra

7. Khalast Feek Kol Alkalam

8. Nafs El Makan

9. Weghalawtac

10. Habibi

Tracks:

Kalby Aktark
Amarain
Nour El Ain
Awedony
Tamally Maak
Albey
Kalast Feek Kol Alkalam
El Alem Alla
Ana
Men Awwal Merra (Mehtajelha)
We Heya Amla Aeh Delwat
Bahibak Aktar
Ana Mahma Kibirt Sugheir
Habibi (Remix)

Customer Reviews:

RECENT ARABIC POP MUSIC.......2006-05-20

Some ARABIC POP MUSIC Angham, Babihik Washteeny (2005). Amr Diab, Kammel Kalamak (2005). Marwan Khoury, Asr El Sho' (2005). Ahlam, Al Thokol Sanaa (2005. Muhammad Abdu, Al'amaken (Jeddah ghair 2005)

What I know about Arabic pop music can be put in a thimble with room left over for my thumb, but I listened to it regularly when we lived in Dubai from 2001-4 and grew to like it quite a bit. So this spring, when we visited Dubai, I picked up some more pop records. Well, four are pop records; the other (Abdu) lies somewhere between traditional (incantatory) music and pop music.

Angham, Diab and perhaps Ahlam are from Egypt. Khoury (and perhaps Ahlam) is from Lebanon; Abdu is a Saudi (Saudi Arabia). Angham, Diab, Ahlam and Khoury represent the liberal pop wing of Gulf music. There are echoes of western lounge music in all four disks. Khoury, in particular, comes across as the Middle Eastern version of someone like Neil Diamond: rich voice cushioned in lush orchestration (strings, woodwinds, rhythm). Sentiment drips from each note he sings. Listening to individual songs, especially a cut like "Helwi El Hayat," is fine but listening to the album in one dose is like eating a dozen puff pastries in one sitting. But ... hey, give the guy credit! He can emote. (C+)

From the evidence of the cover photo, Ahlam is a hot young babe -with pouty lips, kohl-rimmed eyes, faintly puffy cheeks. "Veree sexee!" as they say. Her singing isn't bad and the rhythms pulse, but the orchestration is thin and the musical content modest. (C)

Amr Diab has a nice voice which conveys not only emotion but urgency. The arrangements on this fine album move along at a good pace and the album is well orchestrated -guitar dominates but there are nice passages for organ, the somewhat Arabicized electronic rhythm section kicks, and the backup vocals don't get in the way. The songs are interesting enough to bear repeated listenings. The title cut, "Kammel Kalamak," is a standout, as is the more relaxed, loping tempo "Agheeb," on which Diab shows that he can sing. Diab is more than a pretty face. (B)

Angham is the gem of the lot. An earlier album of hers, Leih Sebtaha (2004), was superior. This album, Bahibik Washteeny, isn't quite as good but it is still clearly superior pop music. She too is a hot babe but more than that, she is a diva with a real voice: insinuating, strong, appealing. Arabic singers differ from western singers in the use of grace notes; they frequently sing a quarter tone above or below the melody line. When someone like Angham sings a ballad, her smoky voice wavers on, around, and below the melody line. It is very effective when you have a voice as good as she has. If Leih Sebtaha is a 5* album, Bahibik Washteeny is a 4-1/2* one.

A word about Arabic pop instrumentation and rhythms. For all they borrow from MTV and the international music market, there is something unique about this music. In the richest scores, like those on Angham's albums, string and woodwind sections play mostly in unison or octaves, not in more complex harmonies. The effect is hypnotic; the massed sound of unison and octave strings DRIVES the music. Arabic rhythms, even with the use of drum machines, are different than western rhythms. Instead of 1 -2 -3 -4, they lope and canter, place accents behind or ahead of the beat, or add second and third drum beats providing counters to the straightforward rhythm we expect to hear in this kind of lounge music.

If the model of western straightforward rhythm is the ball bearing rhythm section of the Count Basie band ca. 1940, the model of Arabic pop music is the camel's gait.

Muhammad Abdu is sui generis. Al'amakeen is a live album, recorded in Jedda in 2005. The rhythm section backing him is the equal of any rhythm section I've heard on Afro-Cuban records: insistent, driving, and complex. The strings and woodwinds are thin but they fit this music. Abdu has a nasal tenor voice and he chants as much as sings, but hey, it works! This is incantatory music, building strength through repetition of notes and phrases, driven by the reedy sounding string section and horns and propelled along the tracks by a kickass rhythm section. I wish I knew more about this music: I suspect it's not pop music at all but rather religious or semi-religious in nature. Whatever it is, it's good! (5*)

Egyptian Pop for the World.......2005-08-02

I bought this album because five years ago I spent four months in Cairo, Egypt, and every time I got into a taxi, there was a 50/50 chance that I would hear "Amarain." It was a catchy song, and got stuck in my head, despite the fact that I only understood one word out of every five. I decided to buy the album titled "Amarain" to check out the rest of Amr Diab's music. I fell in love with "Ana," which was also a single off of the album. "Ana" combines the Egyptian pop sound with Latino rhythms and a vaguely techno riff. It also has call-and-response and a driving beat. All in all, a great song. The rest of the album was very listenable too. So, I came back to the US, and lost the tape, much to my chagrin. This year, I was wandering around Amazon.com, and found the greatest hits. It had "Amarain" and "Ana" on it, so I decided to get it. Nearly every song is very good, and all are good. A few have a pre-packaged "Listen to this unspecific world music while selling cars or 'ethnic' food" feel, but they're still catchy. My husband, who only understands five (or so) words of Arabic, enjoys the insistent beat of Amr Diab. You can chill to it, you can dance to it, you can attempt to read the rather badly translated English lyrics, or you can just put it on in the car and drive to it.

Bravo!.......2005-06-11

Bravo, Amr Diab! You are truly an outstanding singer! Music lovers, buy this CD you will not regret.

you know you want him.......2004-07-05

If you enjoy Arabic music or have some rhythm, you probably own this CD already. Amr Diab has a beautiful voice and a wide range of talent. The songs are just the right tempo and I can listen to the CD the whole way through without jumping for the remote (and how many CDs can you say that about?). Whether you speak Arabic or not,its easy to appricate his talent. No wonder he's so loved in Egypt.

Standout songs: kalby ekhtarak, amarain, nour el ain, el alem alla, bahibak aktar, habibi

I AM IN LOVE WITH AMR DIAB.......2003-06-10

Amr Diab has to be the best Arabic singer out there. Not only is he undeniably hot but his music is good enough to make you weak in the knees. Tamally Maak has to be my favorite out of all his songs. The deep, emotional melody just pulls at my heart and it's amazing how the music just makes you FEEL. Along with Tamally Maak, my favorites happen to be Alem Alla and Akther Wahed and of course, Habibi!

Average customer rating:

The best of the same
incredible
this is great music!!!
Habibi Amr Diab
A very good CD!...

The Very Best of Amr Diab
Amr Diab
Manufacturer: EMI Int'l
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Egypt | Africa | International | Styles | Music

General | International | Styles | Music

General | Middle East | International | Styles | Music

General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

International | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

The Very Best of Amr Diab
Tab Leh
Allem Alby
Kammel Kalamak
Tamally Maak [IMPORT]

ASIN: B00003IR5V
Release Date: 1999-11-09

Tracks:

Habibe (Ya Nour el Ain)
Amarain
Albey - Amr Diab, Khal
Nafs el Makan
Ana el Munim
Awedony
Ayzeen Yeghayyarook
Nary (Ya Habeba)
Men Awwal Merra (Mehtajelha)
Ew'idni
Kalast Feek Kol Alkalam
Bahibak Aktar - Amr Diab, Angela Dimitriou

Album Details

Born in Egypt, He is One of the Most Successful Singers in the Middle East Region Selling Over Three Millions Albums.

Customer Reviews:

The best of the same.......2005-09-02

Amr Diab does not waste any time and starts this album with Habibi (Ya Nour El Ain), the greatest hit in recent Middle East memory; its infectious rhythm and melody will put a hook into your brain good and firm once you hear it. The second song, Amarain, possibly my favourite on this album, is sort of the same thing... and so is the rest of the album. While newcomers to Arabic pop may find the whole lot exotic enough, for me it began to feel repetative enough after few songs. Khaled's contribution on the third track is cool but the whole song is uneven- his voice is way too good to be used in such a ditty. Overall, this is a good collection of Amr's songs, but not more than this. Western ears may need to adjust to the quarter tones scale and the sound of the strings, but it is well worth it. And once you're ready for a close to perfect album of this type of music, check out Mandam Aleyk by Nawal el-Zoghbi.

incredible.......2004-11-30

amr diab's music/voice is simply incredible. his music as one review put it...goes right through your body. i cannot understand arabic, nor does one have to be middle eastern to really get into this guy's groove of tunes. i am an american who loves music from around the world and amr and his music is so incredible. my favorite... as another review says: it makes you want to know the language...it's so romantic and so cool. you can almost feel what he's singing .. i love this guy!
keep up the great work amr !

this is great music!!!.......2004-04-02

this is a fantastic cd full of fantastic songs. when i listen to these beautiful songs i regret that i can't understand arabic. this cd only could be a reason for anyone to learn arabic and to get to know more about the arabic culture. great music. i send my congratulations to everyone who contributed to these songs in the arab world...

Habibi Amr Diab.......2004-03-01

This whole album should be titled "Habibi". The mixture of muscial styles, rythms and sounds are brilliant; so well textured and balanced. Even more magnificant is Amr Diab's melodic voice; it seeps through your skin into your blood. And like me you don't have to be of Arab/Egyptian origin nor understand Arabic to appreciate and marvel decent music. This proves how fantastic this Album really is. I would rate Amr Diab and his music as Egypt's version of "Ricky Martin".

A very good CD!..........2002-10-01

Amr Diab is a wonderful Egyptian singer.This Best of is very good:I think A.Diab is one of the best Arabic singer in the world.He succeeds to mix Egyptian folklore and modern music:the result is a fantastic CD!...

Average customer rating:

Very Best/Akhtar Wahed
Amr Diab
Manufacturer: EMI Arabia
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Egypt | Africa | International | Styles | Music

General | International | Styles | Music

General | Middle East | International | Styles | Music

International | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B0000C8X5P
Release Date: 2003-10-12

Tracks:

Aktar Wahed: Wala Ala Baloh
Aktar Wahed: Aktar Wahed
Aktar Wahed: Kan Tayeb
Aktar Wahed: Ba'ed El Layali
Aktar Wahed: Olt Eah
Aktar Wahed: Wala Lailah
Aktar Wahed: Adini Regetelak
Aktar Wahed: Sada'ni Khalas
Aktar Wahed: Ahebbek Akrahek
Aktar Wahed: Ya Habibi La
Aktar Wahed: Wala Ala Baloh

Tracks:

The Very Best Of Amr Diab: Kalby Ekhtarak
The Very Best Of Amr Diab: Amarain
The Very Best Of Amr Diab: Nour El Ain
The Very Best Of Amr Diab: Awedony
The Very Best Of Amr Diab: Tamally Maak
The Very Best Of Amr Diab: Albey
The Very Best Of Amr Diab: Kalast Feek Kol Alkalam
The Very Best Of Amr Diab: El Alem Alla
The Very Best Of Amr Diab: Ana
The Very Best Of Amr Diab: Men Awwal Merra (Mehtajelha)
The Very Best Of Amr Diab: We Heya Amla Aeh Delwat
The Very Best Of Amr Diab: Bahibak Aktar
The Very Best Of Amr Diab: Ana Mahma Kibirt Sugheir
The Very Best Of Amr Diab: Habibi (Remix)

Average customer rating:

A favourite
it is so cooooool album
Coooooooooooooooool Album..
Coooooooooooooooool Album..
Coooooooooooooooool Album..

Best of Amr Diab
Amr Diab
Manufacturer: EMI
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Egypt | Africa | International | Styles | Music

General | International | Styles | Music

General | Middle East | International | Styles | Music

General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

International | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00004W11F
Release Date: 2000-01-24

Tracks:

Habibe (Ya Nour el Ain)
Amarain
Albey - Amr Diab, Khal
Nafs el Makan
Ana el Munim
Awedony
Ayzeen Yeghayyarook
Nary (Ya Habeba)
Men Awwal Merra (Mehtajelha)
Ew'idni
Kalast Feek Kol Alkalam
Bahibak Aktar - Amr Diab, Angela Dimitriou

Customer Reviews:

A favourite.......2001-12-07

This was my first encounter with middle-eastern pop music, and I'm totally hooked! Amr Diab has a great voice, all the songs are good, and the rythms are catchy. A must-have!

it is so cooooool album.......2001-10-30

it is so so cool album ,, i like all song by amr diab ,, not in this album ,,, but in every album by Amr Diab ,, king of song.

Coooooooooooooooool Album.........2001-10-30

it's coooooooool ,, so so so Coooooooooooooooool Album by the best singer ever and for ever ,, Amr Diab.

Coooooooooooooooool Album.........2001-10-30

it's coooooooool ,, so so so Coooooooooooooooool Album by the best singer ever and for ever ,, Amr Diab.

Coooooooooooooooool Album.........2001-10-30

it's coooooooool ,, so so so Coooooooooooooooool Album by the best singer ever and for ever ,, Amr Diab.

Average customer rating:

Very Best of Amr Diab

Very Best of Amr Diab
Amr Diab
Manufacturer: Musicrama
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Arabic | Middle East | International | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00005Q6LW
Release Date: 2001-09-25

Customer Reviews:

Very Best of Amr Diab.......2001-11-04

As an Amr Diab fan, I purchase all of his recordings.
If you like some of his most popular songs, purchasing
the Very Best of Amr Diab, volumes one and two is the
way to purchase just his hits.

Average customer rating:

The Very Best of Amr Diab
Amr Diab
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Egypt | Africa | International | Styles | Music

General | International | Styles | Music

General | Middle East | International | Styles | Music

World Dance | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000A2G81I
Release Date: 2004-02-10

Tracks: