Habibi Funk: A Selection From Libyan Tapes
Habibi Funk is more than happy to announce our 31st release which happens to be our 3rd various artists compilation. The album is dedicated to the cassette tape scene in Libya from the late 80s to early 2000s, from disco to reggae to pop. All songs previously unreleased outside of Libya and not available on any DSP platforms.
Ken Andi Habib
Wewantsounds is delighted to continue its Algerian music reissue program with the release of Freh Khodja's sought-after 1975 LP, Ken Andy Habib. Recorded in Paris with Les Flammes, a group of immigrant musicians, the album is now reissued for the first time. Selected by Paris-based DJ Cheb Gero, who recently compiled the Sweet Rebels Rai set and curated the Abranis LP release for Wewantsounds, Ken Andi Habib is a masterful blend of Arabic music, jazz, Carribean/Latin grooves and funk. Featuring …
Album No 1 (Id Ed Was)
Wewantsounds is delighted to continue its Algerian music reissue program with the release of Les Abranis' coveted 1983 LP, Album No. 1. Originally recorded in Paris and privately pressed by the group, the album is now being reissued for the first time. Curated by Cheb Gero, who recently compiled the Sweet Rebels Rai set for Wewantsounds, Album No. 1 is a masterful blend of Kabyle grooves, funk, and hints of reggae. Also known as Id Ed Was, the album is reissued with its original artwork, remaste…
Egypt & Lebanon: Cosmic Arabic Disco & Searing Dance Floor Bangers 1974-1985
*2025 repress* Egypt & Lebanon: Cosmic Arab Disco & Searing Dance Floor Bangers 1974-1985 is a monumental introduction to some of the hippest proto-electronic music from the Middle East in the 1970s and 1980s. These are some of the prime cuts that electrified dance clubs throughout the Middle East, from Cairo to Beirut, featuring psychedelic synths and organs, break-neck percussion, and mind-bending beats. The music is a flowering of experimentation with synthesizers, complex electronic flourish…
We Malo
Wewantsounds is delighted to reissue another Warda classic from the 70s, We Malo, originally recorded in 1975 by the legendary Arabic Diva who has sampled by Jay-Z and J Dilla. The album blends traditional Arabic music with 1970s grooves, showcasing Warda's distinct vocal style. She is accompanied by a full-sized orchestra, updating the classy traditional sound with modern instruments (electric guitar, organ). We Malo was penned by composer Baligh Hamdi. This reissue features newly remastered au…
Hawalat
Taking inspiration from hawala, a system of informal money transfers made to certain countries impacted by a lack of currency or unstable contexts. Megarbane spins this concept on its head, reimagining it as an artistic exchange spanning cultures, generations, and geographies. This spirit of creative movement is embodied in the album's amalgamative nature, featuring contributions from an international lineup of artists, including London-based jazz vocalist Sahra Gure, Italian-Tunisian singer LND…
Disco Arabica
After 10 years from the release of the succesful "Obscure Cuts: Italian Arabic Disco", the mighty Beppe Loda is back with a new EP containing top notch cuts of finely chosen Middle-Eastern-influenced Italian obscure gems from the golden era of disco music. Step on the magical carpet and fly high with this new amazing vinyl by the legendary Beppe Loda.
Alech
After being out of stock for years finally the debut release of Habibi Funk by Tunisian band Dalton is back in stock including an updated artwork and booklet.
Musique Original De Films, Volume Deux
Habibi Funk is thrilled to share a second collection of deep grooves and unreleased songs from Algeria's Ahmed Malek, often compared to Italian heavyweight Ennio Morricone. Malek's music effortlessly switches between thematic jazz, funk, reggae and Algerian folk – creating indelible soundscapes that intersect the musical innovations made in African jazz by Mulatu Astatke, Bembeya Jazz National along with some of Europe's finest experimental composers like Piero Piccioni and Janko Nilovic. "Musiq…
Eyoun El-Alb
First time on vinyl. Black LP with original cassette artwork plus a two page colour insert featuring liner notes by Disco Arabesquo. Remastered for vinyl by Colorsound Studio.
Al Hadaoui
Habibi Funk is back with another album from Casablanca. Completely unreleased album which was recorded in Morocco in 1973 by three generation family band. A unique blend of Gnawa, Funk and Rock. Traditional Moroccan music meets electronic guitars and dense layers of percussion by a band that used to run in the same circles as Fadoul (And actually wrote one of his songs).
Al Mahatta - Highlights
*2023 stock* For brilliance in ballad-singing, indefinability of genre, art and sheer gorgeousness of voice, Fairuz might be compared with Sarah Vaughan. Throughout her career she was, among other things, a major star of musical plays. This release comes from one such -- and from 1974, arguably the peak of her career prime. It is also the last composed by her late husband, Aasi Rahbani.
Free Music (Part 1)
Blisteringly groovy collection of completely off-the-radar songs by Libyan composer / producer Najib Alhoush's group The Free Music, circa 1976. Releasing an astonishing 10 albums, all impressively strong and equally infused by soul, funk, disco and reggae, The Free Music created a distinctly infectious groove that unfortunately didn't make an impact outside of Libya due to the complex political situation at the time.
Ya Habibi Taala Elhaani
*Limited edition of 500 copies. Includes liner notes by Rabah Mezouane.* Born on November 25, 1912, Asmahan, whose real name was Amal al-Atrash, was a Syrian singer and actress of the first half of the 20th century. Modern and free, she was the sister of Farid al-Atrash; and perhaps the only singer able to compete with the famous Oum Kalsoum. Her private and public life is worthy of a Hollywood movie and was particularly eventful during the Second World War, where she played spy for Germany, Fra…
El Awama
Tip! *Limited edition of 500 copies. Includes french and english liner notes by Rabah Mezouane.* For its second release, Elmir once again puts 1980s pop-raï in the spotlight with the identical reissue of Cheb Kader's masterpiece: El Awama. Originally self-produced on cassette in 1986, this album was then released on vinyl by Michel Lévy, who was then Cheb Mami’s manager and producer. Back then, the album was not the hit it was expected to be, because a little too avant-garde for the time. But mo…