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Album reviews with Ian Sinclair: June 29, 2022
New releases from Ferkat Al Ard, Shabaka, and Stars

Ferkat Al Ard
Oghneya
(Habibi Funk)
★★★★

THE latest reissue from Berlin-based Habibi Funk, Oghneya, was originally released by Ferkat Al Ard in Lebanon 1978 — on cassette tape by the band themselves.

Led by Issam Hajali, the set is a fabulous mix of Arab, jazz, folk, rock and Brazilian musical styles such as bossa nova and tropicalia (Brazil has the largest Lebanese diaspora in the world, apparently).

Shabaka
Afrikan Culture
(impulse!)
★★★★★

Stars
From Capelton Hill
(Last Gang Records)

★★★

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