Forgotten Treasure: Magdy el Hossainy “Music de Carnaval”

North African rythms and Afro-Arabic grooves clustered as a genre nicknamed Habibi Funk (link) have been gaining traction in the vinyl rare grooves scene in recent years. However, we have yet to see the massive vinyl releases and comps in line with other exotic niche genres. That’s why this 45 release from French upstart Pepite Records comes as a such a refreshing surprise.

The song Music de Caranaval is just insane. A smooth bassline sets the table for some incredible percussive work before the hard drums crash in. The quality of those elements support the funky organ, already a bonafide Funk 45 in its own right, the listener is then treated to a stupendous break right before a wild finish.

If that was not enough, the B-side is a re-drum edit by Steven J perfect for DJs to get more burn from this 7 inch.

Montreal’s own diggeur DJ extraordinaire Kobal found an original copy of this 45 gem in a fleamarket and provided the label with the sounds. Does not really get any better than this release and the collector in all of us should act fast to cop the limited edition clear vinyl! I truly hope Pepite contributes to unearthing more nuggets like this egyptian funk bomb in the near future. One take studio session, one 45 released, thats why this format is so fascinating!

DJ Asma

A Montreal native with West-African roots, Antoine started developing a love for records when his father passed his collection of French, African, Caribbean and Brazilian classics onto him. Ever since, the collector turned selector has spent countless hours in musky basements both here and abroad (Dakar, Lima, Paris, Quito, Rio) in the never-ending search for the perfect beat!