Singer Om Kalsoum’s 1963 epic tale of heartbreak, La Ya Habiby, reissued

A moving album from “The Voice of Egypt”.

Egyptian contralto singer and actress Om Kalsoum’s 1963 recording La Ya Habiby is being reissued, via Fantome Phonographique this April.

Hailing from a small village in the Nile Delta, Kalsoum joined her father’s family group at a young age, before working under the tutelage of singer Mohamed Abo Al-Ela.

Later moving to Cairo in early 1920s, Kalsoum became involved with the Arabic Theatre Palace. With the regular broadcasts of her concerts giving her an edge over competitors – plus an astute talent for negotiating – Kalsoum went on to become one of Egypts most famous musicians, receiving the titles “The Voice of Egypt” and “Egypt’s Fourth Pyramid.”

Kalsoum worked with Riad El Sombati to compose La Ya Habiby – which also features lyrics by Abdelfatah Moustapha – and first released it in 1963.

La Ya Habiby follows Souma Records’ reissue of Kalsoum’s Enta Omri – انت عمري LP in 2019

Head here for more info in advance of La Ya Habiby’s 24th of April release, check out the artwork and tracklist below.