Radio Beirut: Sounds from the 21st Century

There’s an inevitable overlap between Radio Beirut, compiled by the German journalist Dagmar Golle, and last year’s Golden Beirut CD on Out Here. But it’s a testament to the strength of the emerging new music scene in Beirut that its music warrants two such collections in such a short space of time. Golle has cast her net somewhat wider than Golden Beirut, which concentrated rather too heavily on the city’s alt-rock scene. The best of Lebanese indie is still here, with tracks by Soap Kills, New Government, Zeid & the Wings and The Incompetents, none of whom are innovative enough to persuade the average Snow Patrol fan to switch allegiance. But there’s plenty of more interesting stuff with deeper roots in Lebanese tradition, including band of the moment Mashrou’ Leila, whose potent fusion of Middle-Eastern melodies, classical Oriental violin and Western electronica is showcased with three tracks. The larger-than-life Lebanese composer, producer and label owner Michel Elefteriades is represented by two of his multifarious projects, the trad-based oud explorations of the Chehade Brothers and the Cuban-Arabic fusions of Hanine Y Son Cubano. The diva-like Soumaya Baalbaki fuses tango with Arabic forms, while the lilting Arabic folk-rock of Youmna Saba suggests a Lebanese Laura Marling. Unlike Beirut’s rather derivative indie bands, each one of the aforementioned offers something new and original. And for that diversity alone, this collection pips to the post last year’s Golden Beirut comp.