Mouasalat Ila Jacad el Ard

Largely unknown outside a small group of Arabic record collectors, Lebanese artist Issam Hajali's debut is finally getting the release it deserves. Active in Beirut's 70s left-wing movement, Hajali was the singer of the band, Ferkat Al Ard, whose collaborators included Fairuz's son, Ziad Rahbani. Recorded in just a day in 1976 during Hajali's political exile in Paris, Mouasalat Ila Jacad el Ard was born into obscurity. The album was first ‘released’ by Hajali himself on his return to Lebanon with fewer than 100 cassette copies.

Most of the lyrics are radical Arabic poetry by Palestinian Samih al-Qasim, and echoes of folk, rock and Brazilian jazz feature throughout. The instrumentation is similarly diverse including acoustic guitar, drum kit, synths and the Persian santur, which sounds irresistibly evocative over the chord changes in the epic 11-minute-plus opening track. Particularly prominent is Hajali's guitar, which is reminiscent of the folky fingerstle of Ralph McThell. Paired with Hajali's soothing vocals and subtle percussion, the music is catchy, cosy and somewhat melancholy. The addition of synths produces mixed results, giving Hajali's non-standard arrangements a touch of eccentricity. While some of the music sounds unfinished with wandering, exploratory melodies and rough rhythmic transitions, this homemade feel only adds to the album's charm and intrigue – it's a rare glimpse into Hajali's beautifully unique artistry.