Album Notes

Long awaited by connoisseurs of World Music, the legendary album, AL SULTAN'S NIGHTS is available again for a new generation of Belly Dancers, and aficionados of Middle Eastern Music.
Arranged and produced by the internationally renowned musician YOUSSEF KASSAB, this epic collection of of instrumental selections and virtuoso performances has been regarded as a landmark in recorded Belly Dance repertoire and traditional Egyptian music.
Recorded in Cairo, Egypt, AL SULTAN'S NIGHTS features the famed twenty-six piece Cairo Radio Orchestra lead by Sami Nossair (kanoon), including scintillating performances by the famed Ahmed Elhefnawy (violinist and lead musician for Omm Kalthoum and Mohamed Abdel WaHab), and Mahmoud Hamouda (percussion)- all three of whom are considered to be amongst the finest musicians of the Middle East.
Whether it's to accompany a dancer's performance, or simply for the enjoyment of classic and traditional Egyptian music, AL SULTAN'S NIGHTS is vital component in anyone's collection of World Music.

Originally from Syria, Youssef Kassab began learning the oud and studying voice with his uncle at an early age. He continued his studies at the Damascus Conservatory, specializing in kanoon (zither) and classical Arabic music vocal repertoire. There he recorded and performed with the Syrian Radio Orchestra as a vocalist.

In 1970 he moved to New York where he has been performing in concerts and festivals throughout the United States and Central America. In 1982 he joined the Near Eastern Music Ensemble as a principal vocalist. Youssef Kassab is one of the master performers of classical forms such as the Arabic Muwashshahat (classical Arabic/Andalusian vocal music), Al-Qudud Al-Halabiyya (traditional vocal repertoire from Aleppo, Syria), and 19th and early 20th century Egyptian vocal music