Hamid Al-Saadi - Maqam Al-Iraq (2025) [Hi-Res]

Maqam Al-Iraq marks the long-awaited return of Hamid Al-Saadi (b. 1958, Iraq), the only living master of the complete Iraqi Maqam repertoire, and is one of the few commercial releases in the genre. Inscribed by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage, the Iraqi Maqam is a centuries-old oral tradition of sung poetry. This album features two newly composed maqams by Al-Saadi, “Al-Iraq” and “Sa’idi” — the first additions to the canon in over a century — as well as “Maqam Qazzaz,” never previously recorded, and the intricate “Maqam Al-Mansuri.” Each piece is followed by a pesteh, a lighter song with communal elements. Instrumentals were composed or arranged by Amir ElSaffar. Maqam Al-Iraq is also the inaugural release from Maqām Records, a label dedicated to traditional and contemporary Maqam-inspired music.

Tracklist:
1-1 Hamid Al-Saadi - Maqam Al Iraq / Dar al-Fikir wa al Amjad [25:32]
1-2 Hamid Al-Saadi - Maqam Al Sa’idi Hijaz / Habibi Rah wa Ma Janeh [15:07]
1-3 Hamid Al-Saadi - Maqam Al Qazzaz / Wa Weilah wa Weil [21:12]
1-4 Hamid Al-Saadi - Maqam Al Mansuri / Ya Dada Ya Sha’lan [25:51]