Selections from the Farfisa King’s music for no less than ninety-three Egyptian films and thirty-eight TV series, 1973-1980.
‘Mehanna stared out as an accordion, organ and synth wizard in the illustrious orchestras backing the supreme Umm Kulthum, divas Warda and Fayza Ahmed, as well as Abdel Halim Hafez, as part of the legendary troupe known as Al Firqa Al Masiya. His experiments with oscillators playing quarter tones paved the way for keyboards earning a permanent role in modern Egyptian music. Later his work as composer and arranger crafted his own iconic sound, flitting playfully between deeply charismatic Arabic maqams and avant-garde electronic hypnotism.’
That’s Omar Khorshi playing guitar on the cosmic opener, together with an electric violinist; and check Rehla for some proto electro-shaabi.