yemenite songs

This is one of my all-time favourites. I am not keen on her pop albums, but if have never heard one of hers before (or never intended to buy one): 'Yemenite Songs' has the most beautiful, haunting songs, going back to the 16th century and-most of them-written by Rabbi Shalom Shabazi. If you need a translation, there's a web site which has them (by Karen Barak). It's a beautiful legacy, Rest In Peace, Shalom, OFRA.

Compelling eastern rhythms, a haunting voice of unbelievable flexibility and power, mysterious (to most of us!) lyrics and the sort of melodic twists and turns that leave your entrails in knots of pleasure... Ahem. Sorry. Got carried away there. This is an album unlike any others I've heard: a beautiful rendition of traditional Yemenite songs using all the latest recording techniques so that the sound is smooth and rich, slipping down like thick black coffee, while the rhythms make your feet itch to dance. The percussion is unusual: some of it tin trays, etc, arising from the banning of traditional instruments by Orthodox Muslim administration in the past - the result is complex, crisp-sounding and layered - not the heavy thudding drumming some traditions give you. Melody is frequently up-beat but there is a wistfuless about some songs, arising from their yearning - some are love songs, some songs of exile. The words are fabulous - some of these songs are about the love of God: others celebrate "The crowning of man and woman in married bliss" and read like the Song of Solomon. Imagine singing "Sand-lily of the Sharon, Rose of the Valley/ She slipped through my aching fingers with her head upturned/ And left only the pain" to your beloved late at night! This album is a delight, from one of the foremost singers of her time (I *think* she died last year, in fact.) Her voice is powerful and melodic and expressive - she seems to have the ability to sing forever without taking breath. It's for atmosphere, for singing along with, for dancing to.. If you like Middle Eastern music, then you'll love this.

Long one of Israel's most popular singers, Ofra Haza broke through to international recognition during the mid-1980s when her traditional music found favor on the U.K. club circuit, its success leading to a series of unlikely pop projects. Born in Tel Aviv on November 19, 1959, Haza was the daughter of Yemenite parents forced to flee from their native country's Muslim regime; at the age of 12 she joined the renowned Hatikva theatrical troupe, and with the group cut a number of award-winning records before serving a compulsory two-year tour of duty in the Israeli army. Upon her discharge, in 1979 she mounted a solo career, becoming a star not only at home but also in neigboring Arab nations; in 1983, her recording of "Chai!" placed second in the annual Eurovision Song Contest.

Inspired by the ancient melodies taught to her by her mother, in 1985 Haza recorded Yemenite Songs, which featured traditional instruments as well as lyrics drawn from the 16th century poetry of Shalom Shabazi; not only a major hit at home, the album was also a worldbeat smash in England as well. With 1988's Shaday, she turned away from traditional sounds to pursue more dance-flavored material, and the single "Im Nin'al" even reached the Top 20 on the U.K. pop charts, additionally becoming a club favorite in the U.S. Haza's music was also sampled on the Eric B. and Rakim rap classic "Paid in Full," and her vocals later found their way into M.A.R.R.S.' seminal "Pump Up the Volume" as well.

1989's Desert Wind was sung largely in English, and its release corresponded with Haza's first American tour. For 1992's Grammy-nominated Kirya, she teamed with producer Don Was, and welcomed guests Iggy Pop and Lou Reed; that same year, Haza also recorded the single "Temple of Love" with British goth-rockers the Sisters of Mercy. Despite her success, however, she was silent throughout the middle of the decade, finally resurfacing in 1997 with a self-titled LP issued on her new label BMG Ariola. Haza died unexpectedly of AIDS-related complications on February 23, 2000