Maya Waked, a multi talented singer, writer and journalist has just released her first album Helm Majnoon bringing back to life popular Lebanese songs in a glitzy remix. Maya is reintroducing to the current artistic scene, songs that used to play on Lebanese radio stations during the 80's and 90's.
''These melodies and words are in our DNA and collective memory. I don't want to see them die with the next generation,'' explains Maya
People will feel good upon listening to Helm Majnoon. They'll get a sense of something pleasantly familiar, with a present-day zest.
"A remix is usually the nicest way to convey the past to the next generation while hitting a chord in the previous one," explains Maya.
The Album's music arrangements are orchestrated by well-known Lebanese artists Arthur Satyan and Abboud Saadi. The latter is also the composer of Helm Majnoon. The original composition, called "Day Dreamer" has been revived with lyrics by poet Nadim Mohsen who came up with the title Helm Majnoon for both the song and the album.
''It is truly a crazy dream to build a bridge between generations through music, to stay true to the past while adding a contemporary touch'' says Maya.
"Helm Majnoon" is being released in Lebanon, Dubai and Montreal and will be available online and in major retail stores. Helm Majnoon's concert will be premiering in Montreal on April 27th in Lion d'Or Club.
"I think that Lebanese around the world need this kind of music, after all, we are all stuck between the past and the present, and some of us, are torn between our native land and the adoptive country," adds Maya. "This music speaks to all."
-ENDS-
About the album
Remixed songs are: Zaki Nassif's Khalli el hawa maktoum, Azar Habib's Lawlaki ya malaki, Roger Bandaly's Bezzaal Mennak, Romeo Lahoud's Khidni maaak aala blad el hawa and Aanood el Helo. The album also features a Club Mix that will please many revellers in Lebanese nightclubs. Helm Majnoon is a new and original song composed by Abboud Saadi - Lyrics by Nadim Mohsen.
CD is available on itunes and at Virgin Megastores in Beirut
About the artist
Maya Waked, singer, author and journalist, is born in Beirut in a family of music lovers. She studied Political Sciences and Marketing in Paris and returned to Lebanon to work in management with one of the largest distribution companies. In 2001, she left the corporate world to join her initial calling: music, entered the Conservatoire National and embraced oriental singing. She then moved to Dubai where she finished the novels she had been working on, and published them in Paris and Beirut. Maya lives now in Montreal where she's a radio host. She will be performing her first solo concert in that city in April 2013. Helm Majnoon is her first album.
