Gaida - Levantine Indulgence

For Gaida, morning in Damascus meant melodies: waking to the sound of her father’s radio while he shaved, the predawn intertwining calls to prayer bursting from mosques across the world’s longest-inhabited city. Strains of Umm Kulthum and Fairouz rose from radios and stores as horses clopped and cars purred by. The age-old harmonized with the modern.
These sounds shaped the gorgeous and thoughtful Syrian singer’s impeccable musical intuition and velvety yet crystalline voice, now channeled into the stunning live performances and bluesy originals of Levantine Indulgence, a set of songs as rich and subtle as the Fertile Crescent oasis of ancient Levant. With her voice as a common denominator, Gaida has found the soulful sweet spot where complex Levantine rhythms synch up with breezy hints of bossa nova, pounding belly dance beats, and that certain swing found only in jazz.
Gaida’s songs, refined over a decades-long journey, unite the elegance of Arabic poetry and the refined ornamentation of Middle Eastern vocals with the sophisticated urbanite sensibilities of her adopted home. They translate the elevated tarab (ecstasy) into the indulgence of a personal passion that drove the girl from Damascus to defy her beloved father and find her voice, meanwhile moving from intimate clubs to prestigious national venues like the Kennedy Center and major feature films, including Jonathan Demme’s 2008 drama “Rachel Getting Married.”

“Song sequence of alert beauty” ~Timeout New York

“Beyond Perfect”
~Peter Canby, Senior Editor - The New Yorker

"Just beautiful!"
~Suzan Peric, Music Editor - Lord of the Ring



All Composition by Gaida. "Ghayeb" Co-composed with Jeruis Basir. " Kaifa Uhibuka" Co-composed with Amir Elsaffar. " Almaya" is a syrian folk song.

For lyrics translations and lyricists credits
click over here:
Lyrics Translations & Credit

MUSICIANS ON THE CD

Adel Hinawi (Backing Vocals, Oud , & Eelectrics Bass)
Amjad Abdullah ( Percussion )
Amir ElSaffar ( Trumpet & Santoor)
Arturo Martinez ( Guitar )
Bridget Robbins ( Nye )
Dende Macedo ( Brazillian Percussion )
Eric McPherson ( Drums )
Francois Moutin ( Bass )
George Dulin ( Piano )
Hector Morales ( Congas )
Jessica Seidel ( Flute & Cello )
Jeo Brown ( Keyboard )
Johnny Farraj ( Riq - Tambourine )
Sarah Silbert ( Backing Vocals )
Teraq Abboushi ( Buzuq )
Zafer Tawil ( Oud, qanoon, & Percussion )
Ze Grey ( Electric Bass )


[.01.] Dream 
[.02.] Ammar
[.03.] Illak Shi
[.04.] Indulgence
[.05.] Kaifa Uhibuka
[.06.] Salam Min Dimashq
[.07.] Almaya
[.08.] Ghayeb
[.09.] Bint Elbalad