Kassis, Tania / Oriental Colors
Album: Oriental Colors   Collection:World
Artist:Kassis, Tania   Added:Feb 2011
Label:Magnum Records International  

A-File Activity
Add Date: 2011-03-20 Pull Date: 2011-05-22 Charts: Reggae/World
Week Ending: May 22 May 8 May 1 Apr 24 Apr 17 Apr 10 Apr 3
Airplays: 1 2 1 1 4 2 1

Recent Airplay
1. May 13, 2016: Arabology
One Last Dance
4. Oct 03, 2013: Arabology
Ounchoudat Bayrout (Hymn Of Beirut)
2. Feb 10, 2015: Arabology
Ounchoudat Bayrout (Hymn Of Beirut)
5. Dec 06, 2012: Arabology
Chou Ma Sar (Techno Remix By Jad Mhanna & Chahé Cupélian)
3. Dec 20, 2013: Arabology
Ounchoudat Bayrout (Hymn Of Beirut)
6. May 24, 2012: Arabology
Chou Ma Sar (What Happened?)

Album Review
Abu Ramses
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

Track Listing
1. Rajaa (I'm Coming Back)   8. Jerusalem
2. Ounchoudat Bayrout (Hymn Of Beirut)   9. Kilna Bil Hayy (Soundtrack From The Series All Of Us In The Neighborhood)
3. Trabak Ya Lebnan (Your Soil Oh Lebanon)   10. L'amour Est Un Tango
4. Chou Ma Sar (What Happened?)   11. Sawa Sawa / Juntos Juntos (Together)
5. Albi Dalili (My Heart Is My Guide)   12. Awedli El Madi (Come Back To Me)
6. One Last Dance   13. Chou Ma Sar (Techno Remix By Jad Mhanna & Chahé Cupélian)
7. Kel Ma Ftahtoun Aynayk (All That Opened Your Eyes)   14. Albi Dalili (Said Mrad Vs Axcess Club Remix)