095: Shahee Al Ni3na3 [Mint Tea](Moving Still) - a podcast by Jon Averill

Shock World Service 095:
Shahee Al Ni3na3 [Mint Tea](Moving Still)
12/6/2020 Dublin, IrelandThere is nothing nicer than getting up in the morning and making myself a cup of Arabic mint tea - this is a tradition I was exposed to growing up in Saudi. The songs I picked for this mix are songs that would go well with a nice cup (finjan) of mint tea (shahee ni3na3). I wanted to bring you through my cassette collection but also show you some songs that I hope to find on cassette. Every single song in this mix has a distinct memory that I truly love, and I hope they become special to you too. I highly recommend making a pot of mint tea, sitting on the floor, and mindfully listening to this mix.- Jamal Sul/ Moving Still1. Ferqat Al Dana - Labod Nerjaa
This is a band from Kuwait and the album was recorded in 1993. This song is a classic!It was pretty unusual to hear this type of Jazz from a Middle Eastern band. This is one of my favourites.

2. Bouchenak - Salam AlikoumThis is a lovely cassette from Morocco that was released in 1992. This one has a lovely bassline and a melodic lead line that grabs you throughout.

3. Zeinab - Ya HawlyZeinab released only two albums, and this song was released in 1985 on Delta Sounds. It is a lovely slow Egyptian Disco banger.

4. Faris - Ya TayerFaris is an Egyptian singer and actor. This track was released as part of an Egyptian compilation called “Njoom Al Sharq”.

5. Simone - Zey Ma MatidenySimone is known for her Arabic covers of very popular pop songs. This cover of Janet Jackson’s “What Have You Done For Me Lately” is superb! This is the last track on her 1992 album “Merci”.

6. Mona Abdel Ghany - AshabThe name “Ashab” translates to “friends” in Arabic. Mona’s singing in this is one of a kind, and the hook melody is very soothing.

7. Americana Show - Taht Al DilaAmericana Show were an Egyptian artistic trio founded by Hamid El Shaeri&Tareq Nur in the late 1980s. Members were Hisham Abbas, Aliya Saleh and Ahmed Al Gibaly. Taht Al Dila, which means under the shade.

8. Ali Bahar- Tesadeq AadAli Bahar is a Bahrani singer that was nicknamed “the Bob Marley of the Gulf”. This was released on great label called Al-Nazaer.

9. Cheb Arab - Yama EounyThis song is timeless, and those gated reverb snares and claps are key in this one. I would highly recommend listening to the entire album “Lo Kan” released in 1991.

10. Hany Shnoda Farkat Maserrian - Lama Kan El Bahr AzraaThis song is very dear to me. You can literally float away listening to it.

11. Hamid El Shaeri - OudahHis mixed roots of being both Libyan and Egyptian gave his music a complete fresh taste during the boom of the cassettes industry in the 80s. The entire song is an acoustic guitar breeze and very different from his other tracks.

12. Azza Kamal - Maadna BukraAzza Kamal only released one album, was an actress for a few years, and disappeared from the entertainment industry in the 90s. The edit is on the way!!

13. Laila Ghofran - Muhtagah AtghayarThis is another cassette that was just collecting dust and I had no idea what was on it. This is an 80s banger and really love her singing on this particular song.14. Sahar&Hamid El Shaeri - Rajer
This is a song I recently discovered and would love to have this on cassette. I was really blown away by Sahar’s singing and the main lead guitar. I highly recommend listening to this one with mint tea.15. Etteb - Ghourabah
Etteb is my favourite female Saudi musician. As far as I know, she is the first female singer to emerge from Saudi. She moved to Egypt to continue her singing career and she was an advocate for women in music, and a member of the Union of Arab Artists and the Musicians Syndicate in Egypt.16. Fatima - Douz Douz
This one was released in 1984 on Atoll in France. The chorus on this track is absolutely amazing, and the Arabic percussion mixed in with Disco elements really give this song its signature.

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