Amal Hijazi - Zaman

Amal Hijazi's second album is, arguably, her most successful to date, and most people usually assume that this was her debut album. When you see how many of her hits came from this album, it's easy to see why. Producer Jean Saliba's affinity for Bendeniz continues in this album, and the title song is a cover of the Turkish singer/composer's own 2001 hit of the same name. With the exception of the last two tracks, the album has an oriental flavor throughout, regardless of the style of composition. The album starts with the catchy Ed'ili, Amal's first and only collaboration with Amr Mostafa. "Prince of Rai" Faudel joins Amal on Ainak Ainak, the hit Rai song which proved again Tarek Abou Jaoudeh's diversity as a composer. Iraqis Ravi and Omar compose and sing with Amal. Waili Wah. Romansiya, composed by Mohamed Rahim, is a catchy pop song which mixes in strings and mizmar with western beats and guitar. The hit Oulhali, one of Nasser El As'ad's best songs to date, is an almost magical song which combines a pop beat with oriental strings and even Indian tabla. Zaman has something for everyone, and that's probably why it's Amal's most memorable album yet.

Track List:
1. Ed'ili
2. Zaman
3. Ainak Ainak
4. Waili Wah
5. Ya Allah
6. Zein El Rouh
7. Romansiya
8. El Hawa
9. Oulhali
10. Albi Dawwa
11. Comme Çi Comme Ça
12. Mali Meil
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Bassima - Shou A Bali

Bassima began her career singing and reciting English and French songs, and when you listen to her graceful voice the western influence is evident. However, unlike the way Grace Deeb tends to do, she does not force the western vocal style on oriental songs, but rather compliments them, the way Asmahan did. Shou A Bali is one of, if not the, most successful albums she has released in her decade-long professional career. Samir Sfair, who was impressed with Bassima's voice, composed four of the six tracks, including the smash hit Shou A Bali. The title song and Souret El Hob are both typical pop ballads, though with different arrangement styles from Tarek Madkour and Hani Siblini respectively. The remaining four tracks are stellar, and much more traditional in terms of arrangement. Ah Yana and Ma Yhes El Garh are both moderately paced Egyptian songs. Etr El Madi and Mish Helwin are Lebanese songs composed by Samir Sfair, the former arranged beautifully by Hani Siblini and the latter with relatively generic arrangement from Nasser El As'ad (though the infectiously catchy composition shines through anyway). While Bassima is no stranger to success, Shou A Bali was a milestone in this down-to-earth singer's career.

Track List:
1. Shou A Bali
2. Ah Yana
3. Etr El Madi
4. Souret El Hob
5. Ma Yhes El Garh
6. Mish Helwin
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