Fairuz - Kifak Inta Fairuz

Wewantsounds is delighted to reissue Fairuz's classic album 'Kifak Inta' produced by her son Ziad Rahbani in the late 80's and only released on cassette and CD in 1991. Composed and arranged by Rahbani, who had already produced 'Wahdon' (1979) and 'Maarifti Feek' (1987), 'Kifak Inta' features his usual blend of Jazz, funk and Arabic music, spiced up with Brazilian influences serving Fairuz's beautiful voice. The album successfully pursue the path that made 'Wahdon' and 'Maarifti Feek' such in-demand albums, modernising the sound of the Lebanese Diva with contemporary arrangements. It is the first time 'Kifak Inta' is released on vinyl, retaining the original cassette artwork. The album - curated by Mario Choueiry from Institut du Monde Arabe (Paris), who also wrote the liner notes (Fr/En) - has been newly remastered by Colorsound Studio in Paris.

Fairuz is a living legend and one of the greatest Divas of the Arab world. She's been an essential part of the international music scene for more than sixty years, releasing albums since the early 50s and giving concerts all around the world. Fairuz came to prominence in the 50s crossing path with the Rahbani Brothers (Assi and Mansour) an encounter that turned into a fruitful collaboration that would last until the 70s, spawning countless classics in the process. Fairuz's marriage with Assi produced a son, Ziad, who would start a brillant career as a cutting-edge playwright, musician and producer in the early 70s.

When Assi Rahbani became ill in the mid 70s and the couple separated, Ziad, tuned in to the coolest global sounds of the day, took over as Fairuz's musical director and started to add elements of Jazz, Funk and Bossa Nova to her music. The collaboration started in 1979 with the Album 'Wahdon' which included the funky cult classic 'Al Bosta.' They worked together again in 1983-84 on the album 'Maarifti Feek' which was released in 1987 and continued their collaboration with 'Kifak Inta' a few years later.

The album was released on the Lebanese label Relax-in in 1991 on cassette and CD only, but, although there are no recording dates listed, the track 'Ouverture 87' seem to indicate it was recorded around that year. The album follows the same pattern as previous Ziad Rahbani productions for his mother and mixes traditional Arabic music ('Farewell Song', 'It's Not a Problem'), Jazz-Funk ('Ya Leili Leili Leili') and Bossa Nova ('Dia'Anou'), all featuring Ziad's superb orchestrations and slick arrangements.

The jewel in the crown is the album's title track, 'Kifak Inta' ('And You, How Are You?'), a ballad written and composed by Ziad Rahbani. The song is sung by a woman opening her heart to her childhood sweetheart, now married to another woman, and confessing she still loves him. The subject was controversial and created quite a stir when the song came out in the still conservative Lebanese society of the time. The track 'Prova' which closes side 1 is actually a fascinating studio rehearsal of 'Kifak Inta' featuring both Ziad and Fairuz. The track and the album have since become endearing Fairuz classics and Wewantsounds is glad to release 'Kifak Inta' on vinyl for the first time for the pleasure of all Fairuz and Arabic music lovers.