Qat, Coffee & Qambus: Raw 45s from Yemen

Rare Yemeni 45s from the 1960s and ’70s—vintage oud, soaring vocals, and hypnotic rhythms from one of the world’s oldest civilizations, documented for the first time outside its borders.

Qat, Coffee & Qambus brings together newly-remastered audio from rare Yemeni vinyl singles, showcasing the little-documented music scene of the 1960s and ’70s. Compiled by writer, DJ, and musician Chris Menist, the collection documents a crossroads of sound—where the poetic tradition meets unique oud techniques and rhythms shaped as much by the East African coast as by the Arabian Peninsula.

The performers featured here are among Yemen’s most captivating voices and musicians. Fatimah Al-Zaelaeyah delivers a powerful, yearning vocal on “Ya Mun Dakhal Bahr Al-Hawa.” Ahmed Al Sonaidar brings a lilt and lyrical grace to “Raee Al-Gamel,” while Bolbol Al-Hejaz and Soni Ahmad infuse “Mushtaq” with driving energy and intricate string work. Together, they evoke a vibrant scene that thrived in cafés, markets, and qat-chewing gatherings, yet remained largely unheard beyond Yemen’s borders.

What’s Included:

• 9 audio tracks
• View the complete tracklist here: [Insert hosted PDF link]
• 16-page digital booklet (PDF) featuring
• Detailed notes on the search for these long-forgotten 45s in the antique markets of Sana’a
• Photographs, translations, and cultural context.

Press & Praise:

“On first listen, these songs reminded me of old blues records. The heavy percussion and rhythmic string-picking… Yemen is closer to countries such as Somalia and Ethiopia than to its peninsula neighbours.” – The Guardian

Named one of The Quietus’s Best Reissues, Compilations, Mixes & Live Albums.