Description
2021 reissue, 12″ LP, Strut.
Salah Ragab’s Cairo Jazz Band album from 1973 is an undeniable classic of the genre. The definitive Egyptian jazz album blends the best of Black American jazz with plenty of rich Islamic traditions and Egyptian folklore and now gets reissued by Sturt across a glorious double gatefold with an insert. These storytelling tracks range fo flute laced percussive numbers that are loose, happy and airy such as on the excellent ‘Mervat’ to more swinging, jazz lounge groovers like ‘Black Butterfly.’ There is real cinematic drama in ‘Upper Egypt The King’s Valley’ as well as plenty of other highlights on this essential jazz album. – Juno
