Physical Edition: Qat, Coffee & Qambus: Raw 45s from Yemen
Format: CD + Booklet
Qat, Coffee & Qambus uncovers 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.
Compiled by writer, DJ, and musician Chris Menist, this collection presents newly remastered singles that reveal a crossroads of sound: Yemen’s poetic traditions meeting unique oud techniques and rhythms shaped by the East African coast and the Arabian Peninsula.
The performers featured here are among Yemen’s most captivating voices:
- Fatimah Al-Zaelaeyah delivers a powerful, yearning vocal on “Ya Mun Dakhal Bahr Al-Hawa”
- Ahmed Al Sonaidar brings lyrical grace to “Raee Al-Gamel”
- Bolbol Al-Hejaz & Soni Ahmad infuse “Mushtaq” with driving energy and intricate string work
Together, these artists evoke a vibrant musical culture that thrived in cafés, markets, and qat-chewing gatherings — yet remained largely unheard beyond Yemen’s borders.
What’s Included:
- 1 CD with 9 remastered tracks (1960s–1970s)
- 16-page illustrated booklet featuring:
- Detailed notes on the search for these forgotten 45s in the 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
