Oriental Colors
World
| Feb 2011
Reviews
Abu Ramses
Reviewed 2011-03-06
Reviewed 2011-03-06
Tania Kassis, “Oriental Colors”
(Magnum Records, 2011) – ALL TRACKS FCC CLEAN
Reviewed by Abu Ramses
Kassis, a Lebanese soprano, trained in classical operatic style, sang on the international circuit, and lived in Paris for 7 years in the 2000s. “Oriental Colors” marks her return to Lebanon after a successful 2009 single “Islamo-Christian Ave” (Ave Maria mixed with the Muslim call to prayer). A mix of international and Lebanese songs in several styles - traditional Lebanese, jazz, Bossa Nova, Techno. Collaborators include prominent Lebanese composers & arrangers Elias Rahbani, Michel Fadel, Jad Mhanna and DJ Said Mrad as well as international musicians.
Tracks
1. Rajaa – (I’m coming back) Semi-autobiograhical. Her love for Lebanon & yearning to return. Slow, melodic, soaring (like Sarah Brightman or Enya) - 3:43
2. Ounchoudat Bayrout (Hymn of Beirut) – spoken word intro, solo, then full orchestra & chorus - 4:51
****3. Trabak Ya Lebnan (Your Soil, Oh Lebanon) Composed by Elias Rahbani. Upbeat, traditional Lebanese style, like something Fairuz would sing - 2:48
**4. Chou Ma Sar – (What happened?) Slow, piano backup, shows off her soaring soprano voice - 2:53
****5. Albi Dalili (My heart is my guide) – A walz. Cover of a Leila Murad song from the 1947 film of the same name. Close to the original. - 3:43
6. One Last Dance – Soft, Latin beat - 3:53
**7. Kel Ma Ftahtoun Aynayk (Whenever you open your eyes) – mid-tempo love ballad - 3:36
8. Jerusalem - in English, composed by Kassis herself. Naked politics, simple lyrics & pop beat are too light for the seriousness of the topic - 4:31
***9. Kilna Bil Hayy (All of us in the neighborhood) – Bossa Nova beat. Soundtrack from the TV series - 3:21
10. L'Amour est un Tango – A tango (of course!) in French - 3:45
***11. Sawa Sawa / Juntos Juntos (Together) – Upbeat call on Lebanese to unite with Middle Eastern beat - 3:41
***12. Awedli el Madi (Come back to me) – upbeat Middle Eastern beat, partly in Greek - 3:34
**13. Chou Ma Sar (Techno Remix by Jad Mhanna & Chahé Cupélian) – Same voice, shows her willingness to experiment - 3:47
14. Albi Dalili (Said Mrad vs Axcess Club Remix) Unlike track 13, this one really does not work. The styles clash rather than blend - 4:51
(Magnum Records, 2011) – ALL TRACKS FCC CLEAN
Reviewed by Abu Ramses
Kassis, a Lebanese soprano, trained in classical operatic style, sang on the international circuit, and lived in Paris for 7 years in the 2000s. “Oriental Colors” marks her return to Lebanon after a successful 2009 single “Islamo-Christian Ave” (Ave Maria mixed with the Muslim call to prayer). A mix of international and Lebanese songs in several styles - traditional Lebanese, jazz, Bossa Nova, Techno. Collaborators include prominent Lebanese composers & arrangers Elias Rahbani, Michel Fadel, Jad Mhanna and DJ Said Mrad as well as international musicians.
Tracks
1. Rajaa – (I’m coming back) Semi-autobiograhical. Her love for Lebanon & yearning to return. Slow, melodic, soaring (like Sarah Brightman or Enya) - 3:43
2. Ounchoudat Bayrout (Hymn of Beirut) – spoken word intro, solo, then full orchestra & chorus - 4:51
****3. Trabak Ya Lebnan (Your Soil, Oh Lebanon) Composed by Elias Rahbani. Upbeat, traditional Lebanese style, like something Fairuz would sing - 2:48
**4. Chou Ma Sar – (What happened?) Slow, piano backup, shows off her soaring soprano voice - 2:53
****5. Albi Dalili (My heart is my guide) – A walz. Cover of a Leila Murad song from the 1947 film of the same name. Close to the original. - 3:43
6. One Last Dance – Soft, Latin beat - 3:53
**7. Kel Ma Ftahtoun Aynayk (Whenever you open your eyes) – mid-tempo love ballad - 3:36
8. Jerusalem - in English, composed by Kassis herself. Naked politics, simple lyrics & pop beat are too light for the seriousness of the topic - 4:31
***9. Kilna Bil Hayy (All of us in the neighborhood) – Bossa Nova beat. Soundtrack from the TV series - 3:21
10. L'Amour est un Tango – A tango (of course!) in French - 3:45
***11. Sawa Sawa / Juntos Juntos (Together) – Upbeat call on Lebanese to unite with Middle Eastern beat - 3:41
***12. Awedli el Madi (Come back to me) – upbeat Middle Eastern beat, partly in Greek - 3:34
**13. Chou Ma Sar (Techno Remix by Jad Mhanna & Chahé Cupélian) – Same voice, shows her willingness to experiment - 3:47
14. Albi Dalili (Said Mrad vs Axcess Club Remix) Unlike track 13, this one really does not work. The styles clash rather than blend - 4:51
Recent airplay
One Last Dance
Arabology — May 13, 2016
Ounchoudat Bayrout (Hymn Of Beirut)
Arabology — Feb 10, 2015
Ounchoudat Bayrout (Hymn Of Beirut)
Arabology — Dec 20, 2013
Ounchoudat Bayrout (Hymn Of Beirut)
Arabology — Oct 03, 2013
Chou Ma Sar (Techno Remix By Jad Mhanna & Chahé Cupélian)
Arabology — Dec 06, 2012
Chou Ma Sar (What Happened?)
Arabology — May 24, 2012
Charting
2011-03-20 — 2011-05-22
Reggae/World
| Week Ending | Airplays |
|---|---|
| May 22 | 1 |
| May 8 | 2 |
| May 1 | 1 |
| Apr 24 | 1 |
| Apr 17 | 4 |
| Apr 10 | 2 |
| Apr 3 | 1 |
Track listing
| 1. | Rajaa (I'm Coming Back) | ||
| 2. | Ounchoudat Bayrout (Hymn Of Beirut) | ||
| 3. | Trabak Ya Lebnan (Your Soil Oh Lebanon) | ||
| 4. | Chou Ma Sar (What Happened?) | ||
| 5. | Albi Dalili (My Heart Is My Guide) | ||
| 6. | One Last Dance | ||
| 7. | Kel Ma Ftahtoun Aynayk (All That Opened Your Eyes) | ||
| 8. | Jerusalem | ||
| 9. | Kilna Bil Hayy (Soundtrack From The Series All Of Us In The Neighborhood) | ||
| 10. | L'amour Est Un Tango | ||
| 11. | Sawa Sawa / Juntos Juntos (Together) | ||
| 12. | Awedli El Madi (Come Back To Me) | ||
| 13. | Chou Ma Sar (Techno Remix By Jad Mhanna & Chahé Cupélian) | ||
| 14. | Albi Dalili (Said Mrad Vs Axcess Club Remix) |