-
In recent years, many have become aware of the Egyptian oud player and composer Aly Eissa. He has long been a central part of the richly creative music scene in Cairo, but in recent years has really made his mark touring the world, both as a solo artist and with the trio The Handover.
Eissa was mentored in formative years by two legendary figures in Egyptian music; composer and multi instrumentalist Abdo Dagher, and oud master Hazem Shahin. The music we are presented with on “Eggshells” is heavily rooted in both Egyptian classical music and a number of different folk music traditions, but goes it´s own way, through expansive and intricate original compositions.
The epic title track, where Eissa plays oud exclusively, takes up 2/3 of the album, . It seamlessly transitions into "Sukr At-taganni", where Aly, in addition to formidable oud playing, recites poetry by Arab poet Baha´ al-din Zuhayr (1186-1258) in an exceptionally moving manner; serious, loving, tender and insistent. Impressively visionary and virtuoso, but at the same time warm and close. "Eggshells" has many of the qualities of a classic!
-
Release date: 19.06.2026
Artist: Aly Eissa Title: Eggshells
Catalogue number: MOT46
Recorded by: Aly Eissa
Mixed by: Mohamed Sabry
Mastered by: George Zakaria
Artwork by: Aly Gaafar
Side A:
Eggshells (part 1) (24.30)
Side B:
Eggshells (part 2) (13.09)
Sukr At-Taganni (10.02)
