Shaabi  (Egyptian pop)

Leih Sebtaha, Angham  
Traditional rhythms are almost entirely absent from this album.  The exceptions are a pair of
excellent, delicate slow saidis (Ma Gabsh Serti and Negoum El-Leil).  The tracks are all slow to
moderate, well-produced with keyboard, electronic brass, faint congas, backup vocals, and electronic
percussion.  Classical guitar also appears.  The feeling is typically sentimental, the singing
melissmatic.  Several tracks are quite catchy, particularly Leih Sebtaha, and should be suitable for
dancing despite the paucity of traditional rhythms.  
Overall:  Good
Danceability:  Moderate
Drum use:  Not significant

Free Mix, MIX
A mix of shaabi songs, mainly of the sentimental feeling.  There are several decent moderate
to fast-paced songs, including Amr Diab’s Ghawazab and Sherine’s Einak.  Many of the
songs have nice feeling and sound, but lack a hook and/or compelling rhythm.  I can’t really
recommend this compilation, given that there are many others that are stronger.
Overall:  Mediocre, some good
Danceability:  Variable, mainly slow
Drum Use: Not significant

Stars 2002                                                                              Shaabi compilation
Most tracks use traditional rhythms and have strong breaks and reasonable attempts at a hook.  
Many of the songs fail to be really catchy or memorable, due to so-so hooks.  But there are several
irresistable songs including a couple real hits: Saber Al Robae’s “Mezieanah”, Mustafa Amer’s
“Habib Hayati”, Angham’s “Seidi Wisalak”, and Hisham Abbas’ “Habibi Feno”.  I strongly
recommend the album for dancers, though it is four years old at this point.
Overall:  Good
Danceability:  Great
Drum use:  Not significant

Hakim: Greatest Hits  
Hakim is probably the shaabi artist most popular and widely-known in the
United States.  Almost all of the songs on this album are cheerful, moderate
to fast paced, and lend immediately to dancing.  Consequently, I highly
recommend the album to dancers.  For middle eastern music enthusiasts in general, the album is
packed with great examples of happy shabbi, but slow, sentimental pieces are lacking.  
Overall:  Great
Danceability:  Excellent
Drum Use:  Not significant

The very best 2005
Mazzika
Typical shabbi, with a mix of slow, moderate, and fast pieces, many of which use Egyptian rhythms and real
doumbek.  Great energy on the fast tracks and very sentimental projection on the slow pieces.  Several tracks
are moderately catchy, and a funk bass line graces one song (Ma Khlas), but there are other, more reliably
catchy collections.  That said, the album is packed with excellent examples of quality shabbi.
Overall: Great
Danceability: Excellent
Drum use: Minimal

Ahlam, Ahsan
Instrumentation is almost entirely electronic, with keyboard and electronic percussion.  Some
doumbek and a two-toned drum complement many of the tracks – the two-toned drum presenting
non-Egyptian rhythms in a Nubian feeling.  Other tracks are straight ahead maqsum.  Ahlam’s
smooth, strong voice leads with keyboard accents and occasional backup from a male chorus.  Most
tracks are quite laid-back, with very few catchy hooks.  Less eminently suited for dancing than other
Shabbi artists – e.g. Hakim – but a unique, pleasing sound.
Overall:  Moderate
Danceability:  Moderate
Drum use:  Not significant

Nancy Ajram, Ya Tabtab wa Dallaa                                
Electonic shabby, led by Arjam’s voice with keyboard, background vocals, periodic accordion, and
the occasional melodic cameo (e.g. real nei).  The rhythmic section is electronic but for the
occasional doumbek or riq phrase, but the rhythms are all traditional: maqsum, “sai’idi”, and karachi.  
None of the songs is particularly catchy, but all are pleasant and compelling.  There are only two
really slow pieces, and they are niether boring nor fascinating.  This album is a great addition to a
dancer’s shabby collection, offering unremarkable but solidly danceable songs.
Overall:  Good
Danceability: Good
Drum use: Not significant

The Very Best 2004  
Mazzika
2004 was a good year for Shaabi, and this is an excellent compilation.  Almost every selection is instantly catchy.  Tempos
vary, but there is only one slow, sentimental piece.  Maqsum is the most common rhythm, upbeat and lighthearted the most
common mood, but there are more dramatic and serious pieces.   With plenty of stops, compelling melodies, and great
production, this is easily one of the finest collections of shaabi I have come across.
Overall:  Excellent
Danceability:  Excellent
Drum use: Not significant