June 19, 2025

Nadah el Shazly - Laini Tani [2025]


Nadah el Shazly's production is perfectly in tune with the strengths of her voice. Take "Eid" for example, where the Egyptian musician loops and shifts a revolving sample of woodwinds to conjure a surreal ambiance. She is patient with words and sings in a soothing register as Sarah Pagé's graceful harp playing adds shards of light to the tune. The harp is on various tracks of Laini Tani and has a key role in the excellent title track. The spacious "Laini Tani" begins in a spellbinding fashion with a duet of harp improvising around gorgeous vocal melodies. Eventually, the harp locks into a steady rhythm, and deep drums and bass push towards an entrancing chorus.