Nechazz - Pieces of a Dream (Habibi Funk 036) (2026)

In the late 1980s in Amman, Palestinian-Jordanian musicians Basim Said and Khaldoon Nasser joined forces with Iraqi vocalist and guitarist Kassim Sabounchi to form the trio Nechazz. While performing at the popular Amman club Rumours alongside their day jobs in aviation and nightlife shifts, the group recorded the album Pieces of a Dream between 1988 and 1989 in a small 8-track home studio.

The music of Nechazz offers a rare glimpse into the region's late-80s independent scene, standing far apart from typical local sounds of the era. Drawing inspiration from Steely Dan, Bobby Caldwell, Michael Franks, early George Michael, Tears for Fears, Level 42, and Stevie Wonder, the trio crafted a sophisticated blend of jazz, soul, R&B, yacht rock, and city pop. Defined by smooth synth work, rich harmonies, and tracks like "Love Meeting Love" and "Over You," their sound evoked late-night Los Angeles or London rather than contemporary Jordan.

Never officially released and long unheard even by the musicians' families, the album was eventually rediscovered on a cassette in a family archive, becoming one of the most surprising and vital archival finds in Arab indie music.

Tracklist:
1-1 Nechazz - Love The Way You Make Me Feel [5:04]
1-2 Nechazz - Simona [4:37]
1-3 Nechazz - Love Meeting Love [6:13]
1-4 Nechazz - Helen [4:32]
1-5 Nechazz - Over You [4:33]
1-6 Nechazz - Won’t You Let Somebody [4:34]
1-7 Nechazz - Don’t Let Go [5:18]
1-8 Nechazz - Give And Take [4:48]