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CD
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HAB 022CD
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"Libyan Reggae at its peak grooves courtesy of Benghazi-born Ahmed Ben Ali. After working with Ahmed in 2020 on the 12" hit Subhana, Habibi Funk is back with a full-length release focusing on Ahmed's releases from the mid-2000s. The tracks on the LP represent a blisteringly deep collection of heavy reggae rhythms and synthesized grooves from a singular creative force, inspired as much from Jamaican sonics as from Libyan folkloric styles, as Ahmed says, 'it's the Libyan style, not some bullshit.' As always, both vinyl and CD come with an extensive booklet featuring background on Ahmed, including unseen photos, scans and more. Reggae in Libya has dominated the charts since its arrival in the 1970s and flourished with some of the pioneers of Libyan reggae such as Ibrahim Hesnawi, Najib Alhoush and The White Birds Band. Eventually we were able to connect with Ahmed and our work with him started with a 12-inch released with 'Subhana' on the A-side and 'Damek Majeb' on the B-side (track 4 on this release). After the release, he sent us some more songs, which we loved just as much. Soon after, the idea was born to follow up with a full-length release which Ahmed was happy to commit to. In early 2023, we met in person in Cairo to share a few more stories and to take some photos for the release, which you can find throughout the booklet accompanying the LP and CD. At his home studio, Ahmed operates as sound technician and producer, recording the music in addition to writing the lyrics -- a one-man musical squad. Contextualizing his own style, Ben Ali points out that, 'The Libyan folkloric rhythm is very similar to the reggae rhythm. So, if Libyan people listen to reggae, it's easy for them to relate because it sounds familiar. This is the main reason why reggae became so popular here. We played the reggae Libyan style, it's not the same as in Jamaica. We added our oriental notes to it and if you mix both it becomes something great.' With a bit of laughter, he adds that '... to me it's still original reggae, it's the Libyan style, not some bullshit.'"
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12"
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HAB 012EP
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"Reggae music from Libya, recorded in 2008. Released for the first time officially after collecting millions of plays on Youtube. Ahmed Ben Ali was born in 1971 in Benghazi. He went to boarding to school in Canada for 8 years, and returned to Libya. For a couple of years he also worked in the UK. Music was never his main job but his 'main hobby' as Ahmed says. Hhe recorded maybe 40 tracks and released two more albums. He also started playing gigs in Libya with his own band. In 2008 a friend of his decided to set up a youtube account for him by starting with two uploaded tracks. The account remained untouched since 11 years. At some points two of the tracks from this account started gaining traction. 'Sibhana', the infectious Libyan reggae, which you can also hear on this release and 'Damek Majeb', the second track on this 12 inch which is leaning more towards a clubby Arabic pop feel. The vinyl comes with a four page booklet and a DLL code."
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