London - Arabstoday
Al Asheqeen group in London
“Jerusalem is the place of Ascension to Heaven to Arabs; where we write poetry and sing for love. We write a poem and sing for our land; oh forJerusalem our flag rises. Yemen and Fez but Jerusalem
remains the capital of the world, for returning is only a matter of time.”
Those famous lines of poetry were revived by the Palestinian singing group Al Asheqeen in their new album, “Spring Al Asheqeen”, recorded in ‘Metropolis Studios’-London’s largest independent studio. The poem (song lyrics) were written by creative Palestinian poet Ahmed Dahbour and composed and distributed (musically) by Palestinian composer Hussein Nazek; both artists founded Al Asheqeen group in Damascus in 1977.
The group’s last released work was back in Damascus in 1982, titled “Permissible Talk,” which was also written and composed by Nazek and Dahbour. The group is currently preparing to perform its new album in a number of Arab, European, and American capitals and cities.
Since its initial launch, Al Asheqeen’s songs were based on traditional and folkloric Palestinian music. It represented a unique cultural dimension in Palestinian history and became the free voice of Palestine. Their songs narrated the story of the struggle of a people to gain freedom and independence.
Nazek expressed his utmost happiness at the new album and revival of the band, especially with their new style which goes hand-in-hand with the current events taking place in Egypt. In addition, he expressed his thanks and appreciation to those who worked on the album with the band in London, commending their efforts as ‘noble’.