Omar Souleyman - Shlon review | Ammar Kalia's global album of the month

The Guardian 80

(Mad Decent)
The Syrian musician has released 500 records and now lives in exile in Turkey, but this short, sharp record shows an undimmed spirit

There was a glorious moment during Syrian singer Omar Souleyman’s 2011 Glastonbury set. Having just opened to a crowd of sedate, sun-baked West Holts revellers with the trilling saz lines of ballad Saba, he gives one waft of his hand and commands the entire crowd into a dabke-fuelled frenzy.

His keyboard player starts hammering out electronic drums on the keys, while Souleyman wails deep-throated entreaties to his audience; it is a joyous encapsulation of his music and appeal.