Hamid Al-Saadi - Maqam Al-Iraq (2025) [Official Digital Download 24/96]

Vocalist Hamid Al-Saadi performs the revered Iraqi Maqam tradition, accompanied by traditional instruments of the Chalghi Baghdadi, featuring Amir ElSaffar on the santur.

Hamid Al-Saadi (b.1958, Iraq), is the only living singer who has mastered the entire Iraqi Maqam repertoire. Inscribed on UNESCO’s Intangible Heritage list, the Iraqi Maqam is a repertoire of long-form compositions of sung poetry that has been passed down orally for generations. Maqam Al-Iraq consists of two Maqams composed by Al-Saadi, "Al-Iraq" and "Sa’idi," which are the first additions to the repertoire in over a century, "Maqam Qazzaz," which has never been recorded, and "Maqam Al-Mansuri," one of the most sophisticated and developed Maqam compositions. Each maqam is followed by a pesteh, a lighthearted popular song that includes communal singing. The instrumental parts are composed and/or arranged by Amir ElSaffar.

Maqam Al-Iraq is Hamid’s first release since 1999, and is one of a handful commercially released albums of the genre. It is also the first release on Maqām Records, a label dedicated to traditional and contemporary Maqam-inspired music.

Tracklist:
01 Maqam Al Iraq / Dar al-Fikir wa al Amjad
02 Maqam Al Sa’idi Hijaz / Habibi Rah wa Ma Janeh
03 Maqam Al Qazzaz / Wa Weilah wa Weil
04 Maqam Al Mansuri / Ya Dada Ya Sha’lan


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