Originally released in 1976, Music From The East finds Egyptian composer and keyboard player Omar El Shariyi reimagining seven compositions by the legendary Mohamed Abdel Wahab.
Far from straightforward covers, these versions transform Abdel Wahab’s timeless melodies through the sounds of their era: electric keyboards, Farfisa organ, strings, percussion and deep, hypnotic grooves. Arabic orchestral tradition meets jazz-funk, psychedelic textures and early electronic colours, creating a sound that feels both unmistakably Egyptian and surprisingly modern.
The almost twelve-minute “Enta Enta” is a particular highlight, gradually building a hypnotic dialogue between keyboards, strings and percussion. Throughout the album, El Shariyi shows a remarkable instinct for preserving the emotional power of the original compositions while giving them an entirely new rhythmic and sonic identity.
Music From The East is a beautiful example of how tradition can be reinvented without losing its soul — a hidden gem where Cairo’s musical heritage meets the adventurous spirit of 1970s funk, psychedelia and electronic music.
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