Ali Al-Abady, Otaak Band - Dunya Al-Ushaq (2020)

Dunya al-Ushaq is an album of songs that southern-Egyptian folk singer Ali Al-Abady used to sing in 1980's with a full brass and rhythm section. He wanted to get back to the roots of this music, and perform these songs using only acoustic folk instruments. Miguel Merino, appearing here under his stage name Otaak Band, serves as percussionist, lyre player and producer and uses a variety of lyres and harps, the only melody instruments on the record, to conjure lush timbral soundscapes and colorful textures. Many of the instruments were also built by Ali. Mixed and mastered by Grammy-winning Egyptian engineer Alaa El Kashef, a long-time friend and collaborator of Otaak Band, all the lyres played on this album are completely acoustic, showcasing the amazing sonic range of these instruments.

Tracklisting:
01. Ali Al-Abady, Otaak Band - Dunya Al-Ushaq (4:47)
02. Ali Al-Abady, Otaak Band, Adel Mekha, Rozza, Abdo - Na'naa' Al-Geneina (5:02)
03. Ali Al-Abady, Otaak Band - Ahla Talaat Ayam (6:09)
04. Ali Al-Abady, Otaak Band - Al Walad Da (5:25)
05. Ali Al-Abady, Otaak Band - Ma Bansah (6:15)
06. Ali Al-Abady, Otaak Band - Ya Amaly (5:04)
07. Ali Al-Abady, Otaak Band - La Ya Habibi (5:04)