On Sujoud, oud virtuosos Nizar Rohana and Yasamin Shahhosseini bring two distinct musical traditions into intimate conversation. Rooted respectively in Arab (particularly Egyptian and Levantine) and Persian music, their playing moves beyond dialogue toward a shared language: one in which composed structures and spontaneous expression continually meet. Rohana's original compositions and arrangements explore the full sonic range of two ouds, their individual voices remaining unmistakable while intertwining with remarkable sensitivity. Percussionist Ruven Ruppik adds colour, momentum and subtle rhythmic energy, deepening the music without disturbing it's spaciousness. The title Sujoud refers to an act of bowing in awe. Here, it becomes both a gesture of reverence and a symbol of perseverance. Created during years marked by conflict and separation, the album carries a quiet but resolute message of hope. It's music is dedicated to those enduring hardship, especially children searching for a path through darkness. With it's balance of precision and freedom, humility and intensity, Sujoud is a deeply human album: a meeting of traditions, personalities and inner worlds, shaped by attentive listening and mutual trust.

On Sujoud, oud virtuosos Nizar Rohana and Yasamin Shahhosseini bring two distinct musical traditions into intimate conversation. Rooted respectively in Arab (particularly Egyptian and Levantine) and Persian music, their playing moves beyond dialogue toward a shared language: one in which composed structures and spontaneous expression continually meet. Rohana's original compositions and arrangements explore the full sonic range of two ouds, their individual voices remaining unmistakable while intertwining with remarkable sensitivity. Percussionist Ruven Ruppik adds colour, momentum and subtle rhythmic energy, deepening the music without disturbing it's spaciousness. The title Sujoud refers to an act of bowing in awe. Here, it becomes both a gesture of reverence and a symbol of perseverance. Created during years marked by conflict and separation, the album carries a quiet but resolute message of hope. It's music is dedicated to those enduring hardship, especially children searching for a path through darkness. With it's balance of precision and freedom, humility and intensity, Sujoud is a deeply human album: a meeting of traditions, personalities and inner worlds, shaped by attentive listening and mutual trust.

A Timeless Form, Reimagined for Today With Ya Man Itha, Lebanese singer Rima Khcheich brings to life an album she has carried in her heart for decades. It is a deeply personal tribute to the late Egyptian composer Fouad Abdel Majeed, whose music shaped her artistic voice from an early age. In this recording, Rima revisits ten of Abdel Majeed's Muwashahat-classical Arabic vocal compositions often set to poetry and marked by intricate rhythms and modes-and places them in dialogue with the colors and sensibilities of French chanson. At first glance, chanson may seem far removed from the Arabic Muwashah, yet both traditions share a deep commitment to poetic expression, lyrical nuance, and the marriage of words and harmony. This cross-cultural resonance became the spark for the ensemble's refined arrangements, created by Maarten Ornstein, Tony Overwater, and Juan Rodriguez. A Living Conversation Between Heritage and the Present For Rima, Ya Man Itha is not just a tribute - it is the fulfillment of a promise made thirty years ago. As a young singer of 13, she traveled to Cairo in early 1994 to meet Fouad Abdel Majeed. They spoke of making an album together; he even composed new works for her. But just months later, he passed away, and that dream was never realized. Now, three decades on, Rima returns to his music with rare recordings and cherished memories as her guide. The result is a living, breathing conversation between memory and renewal, past and present. An Ensemble Bound by Trust Joining Rima are musicians with whom she has shared a profound artistic bond for over 25 years: Maarten Ornstein (clarinet), Tony Overwater (double bass), and Joost Lijbaart (drums). Their long collaboration has created a rare musical language rooted in trust, openness, and deep listening. For the first time, they are joined by Juan Rodriguez (piano), whose youthful sensitivity and energy infused the music with new colors. Together, the ensemble recorded the album live, preserving the immediacy of performance and the intimacy of shared breath. The Arrangements - three by Tony, five by Maarten, and two by Juan - reflect the spirit of this project: respectful of tradition, yet unafraid to step into new terrain. With Ya Man Itha, Kepera Records is honored to present an album that embodies timeless heritage while speaking directly to the present moment - a musical promise finally kept

A Timeless Form, Reimagined for Today With Ya Man Itha, Lebanese singer Rima Khcheich brings to life an album she has carried in her heart for decades. It is a deeply personal tribute to the late Egyptian composer Fouad Abdel Majeed, whose music shaped her artistic voice from an early age. In this recording, Rima revisits ten of Abdel Majeed's Muwashahat-classical Arabic vocal compositions often set to poetry and marked by intricate rhythms and modes-and places them in dialogue with the colors and sensibilities of French chanson. At first glance, chanson may seem far removed from the Arabic Muwashah, yet both traditions share a deep commitment to poetic expression, lyrical nuance, and the marriage of words and harmony. This cross-cultural resonance became the spark for the ensemble's refined arrangements, created by Maarten Ornstein, Tony Overwater, and Juan Rodriguez.