Ahla Dounya
Ahla Dounya أحلى دنيا | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | 6 May 2004 | |||
Recorded | April 2003 – January 2004 | |||
Studio |
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Genre | ||||
Length | 59:42 | |||
Label | Rotana Music Group | |||
Producer | Jean-Marie Riachi | |||
Elissa chronology | ||||
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Singles from Ahla Dounya | ||||
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Ahla Dounya (Arabic: أحلى دنيا) (English: The Most Beautiful World) is the fourth studio album by Lebanese singer Elissa, released by Rotana on 6 May 2004.[1] The album includes 13 tracks; all of which were produced by Jean-Marie Riachi. The songs "Koul Youm Fee Oumri", "Irjaa Lilshowk" and "Hobak Wajaa (Inta Lameen") were released as singles and received music videos. Ahla Dounya was Elissa's first album to be released by Rotana and was a wide commercial success in the Arab world; achieving sales of more than 3.4 million copies in 2004 and topping the charts in Arab countries for several months.[2][3] The album was praised by critics for its wide range of musical genres, production and the romantic songwriting; the latter of which aided Elissa gain her nickname as the "Queen of Emotions."[4][5]
As a result of its success, the album won many accolades. Elissa won the 2005 World Music Award for Best Selling Middle Eastern Artist at a ceremony in Los Angeles,[6] becoming the first Lebanese artist to receive the award.[7] Additionally, Elissa received two Murex d'Or awards for Best Female Singer and Best Music Video for "Hobak Wajaa (Inta Lameen)".[8] Additionally, it is known to be the first Arabic album to be produced and released in Super Audio sound technology.[1][9]
Background
[edit]In 2002, Elissa's third studio album Ayshalak was released by Dilara and Music Master to substantial commercial success and was considered by many to be her breakthrough. The album topped Arab music charts for numerous months and its titular song, as well as "Ajmal Ihsaas" were released as singles. That same year, Elissa performed at the STARS charity dinner held in Dubai; with Queen Rania of Jordan and former United States President Bill Clinton in attendance.[10] She additionally collaborated with Irish singer Chris de Burgh in a duet titled "Lebanese Night." A music video directed by Salim el Turk was shot in Lebanon and Sweden and premiered on television in December.[11]
Shortly after the release of Ayshalak, Elissa entered negotiations with Saudi Arabian entertainment group Rotana, later signing a 3-album contract with the label in 2003 during the recording of the album.[12][13]
Track listing
[edit]All tracks produced by Jean-Marie Riachi.
No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Irjaa Lilshowk" (Return to Love) | Saffouh Shaghaleh | Nuhad Najjar | 5:15 |
2. | "Ahla Dounya" (The Most Beautiful World) | Mohammad Al Rifai | Mohammad Al Rifai | 4:17 |
3. | "Koul Youm Fee Oumri" (Every Day of My Life) | Mohammad Al Rifai | Walid Sharaky | 5:22 |
4. | "Khalini Aiish" (Let Me Live) | Sameh al-Agami | Sherif Tag | 4:47 |
5. | "Bein Il Ein" (Between My Eyes) | Nabil Abou Abdou | Metin Özülkü | 4:15 |
6. | "Hobak Wajaa (Inta Lameen)" (Your Love Is Pain [Who Do You Belong To?]) | Nizar Francis | Samir Sfeir | 4:47 |
7. | "Kad Ma Bishtaklak" (I Miss You So) | Mohammad Al Rifai | Hossam Habib | 3:48 |
8. | "Kan Nafsee Aaraf" (I Wish I Knew) | Mohammad Al Rifai | Mohammad Al Rifai | 5:02 |
9. | "Zekra" (Memory) | Jiscar Lahoud | Elie Nakhle Habib | 5:03 |
10. | "Irham Albi" (Have Mercy on My Heart) | Mohammad Al Rifai | Rashida al-Hares | 4:06 |
11. | "Gouwaya Leik" (Inside Me) | Mohammad Al Rifai | Mohammad Al Rifai | 4:34 |
12. | "Karibli" (Come Close to Me) | Nabil Abou Abdou | Jean-Marie Riachi | 3:48 |
13. | "Law Nirjaa Sawa" (If We're Together Again) | Mounir Bou Assaf | Nuhad Najjar | 4:37 |
Total length: | 59:42 |
Notes
- "Bein Il Ein" is an Arabic-language cover of the 2003 Turkish song "Dile Benden" by İzel.
- On pressings issued by Founoon, a 2 minute 20 second instrumental of "Law Nirjaa Sawa" is included as track 7. Additionally, alternate versions of "Irjaa Lilshowk", "Irham Albi" and "Karibli" are included, as well as on early pressings by EMI Music Arabia.
Credits and personnel
[edit]Personnel
[edit]Adapted from the album liner notes.[14]
- Jean-Marie Riachi - executive producer, arranger, keyboards
- Xavier Escabasse - sound engineer
- Philippe Hervwett - guitar
- Gilbert - kanun
- Ali Madbouh - mizmar, ney
- Raymond Hajj - percussion
- Chahe Kupelian - arrangement, programming assistant (tracks 5, 9, 10)
- Didier Forget - saxophone
- Christian Martinez - trumpet
- Jihad Akl - violin
- Paul Tachdjian - programming assistant
- Tony Haddad - digital mastering
- Ziad Nawfal - translator
- David Abdullah - photography
- Bassam Fattouh - make-up
- Yehia and Zakaria - hair
Credits
[edit]- 5.1 surround sound mastering by Galaxy Studios (London, England)
- 5.1 surround sound mixing by Studio Damiens (France)
- Design and artwork by Mind the Gap (Beirut, Lebanon)
References
[edit]- ^ a b "ELISSA - Biography & New Release". Radio @ Lebanon.com. Archived from the original on 17 February 2017. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
- ^ elissa biographie، Tuniscope، November 14, 2009. Archived 2020-09-28 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ سوق الكاسيت اشتعلت في مصر واليسا لا تزال في المقدمة, Elaph, 13 July 2004. Archived 28 September 2020 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "تنتظر انتهاء مونتاج الكليب وتغني شرقي لأول مرةالنجمة إليسا تجول في الولايات المتحدة مع جديدها "احلى دنيا"" (in Arabic). Elaph Publishing Limited. 19 February 2004. Archived from the original on 25 June 2023. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
- ^ "اليسا «ارجع للشوق»" (in Arabic). Al Raya. 9 September 2005. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
- ^ جوائز متتالية تحصدها أليسا.. تربك الفنانين الآخرين!!. Al Riyadh, 26 November 2006. Archived 2020-09-15 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ اWorld Music Awards bring few surprises. Sydney Morning Herald, September 2, 2005. Archived 2020-02-26 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ اليسا ما زالت 'تستنى ' حبيبها. Farfesh Plus, 12 March 2006. Archived 2020-09-15 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Ogaily, Mayya (19 January 2024). "12 Albums, 12 Stories: Elissa Revisits the Milestones of Her Journey as the Arab World's 'Queen of Emotions'". Billboard. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
- ^ "اليسا: اليوم صرت أكثر نضجا وأعرف ماذا أريد وكيف أقيّم عملي" (in Arabic). Asharq Al-Awsat. 14 September 2002. Archived from the original on 11 July 2024. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
- ^ "اليسا عرض اول لكليب "ليال لبنانية"" (in Arabic). Elaph Publishing Limited. 4 December 2002. Archived from the original on 30 June 2024. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
- ^ "اليسا: لن أغني دويتو بعد اليوم" (in Arabic). Elaph Publishing Limited. Archived from the original on 11 July 2024. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
- ^ "بعد اعلان بيبسي "قربلي" في الألبوم الغنائي الجديد للفنانة اليسا" (in Arabic). Elaph Publishing Limited. 24 September 2003. Archived from the original on 11 July 2024. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
- ^ Elissa (2004). Ahla Dounya (Media notes). EMI Music Arabia/Rotana. 724347376825.