An Irresistible Arabic & Latin Music Cocktail: Alabina, “Habibi de Mis Amores”

As I mentioned in a post in May about multicultural events, one of the reasons we love DJ-ing in NYC is the high prevalence of people of varied ethnic backgrounds at events. This gives us the ability to both play music from around the world for people and turn them onto it, and to receive requests from clients or from clients’ guests that turn us on to great music from around the world. But, most importantly, it usually means there’s an openness to – and often an expectation that – an international mix of songs will be played thoughout the night. This is something that we can’t thank the city for enough.

One artist we recently spun at a multicultural wedding reception at a hotel overlooking Central Park was Alabina, a group (now likely disbanded) comprised of an Isreali-born vocalist Ishtar Alabina (pictured), and a Spanish backing band from France named Los Ninos de Sara. Together, Ishtar and the band mix Arabic and Latin rhythms in their songs. Now, this might to some seem like it would turn out a bit forced, but Alabina makes it sounds seamless and irresistibly festive, even making you think why this musical hybrid isn’t more commonplace. At our recent event just described, Alabina worked perfectly on the dance floor for the incredibly international crowd, many of whom were from Armenia, and others who were from Israel, Russia, France, and Mexico.

Here’s an Alabina song which I think best captures the magic they make with their mix of sounds. “Habibi de Mis Amores” (basically translated as “Love of My Loves,” the first word in the title being Arabic for love or beloved, the last word being the Spanish plural for love) combines Arabic and Spanish not only in lyrics, but also in the wailing Middle-Eastern-style female vocals of the verses, and the Flamenco-y guitar and Salsa-ish percussion of the instrumental break. In the chorus, though, everything comes together as Arabic music dramatics and Latin music celebratoriness combine to create an elegant, sexy and euphoric tune. And while at the event described above this tune resulted in guests dancing, because the song isn’t ever overpowering in its energy, I think it also would work great to spice up any cocktail hour.

Arabic Music, Cocktail Hour, Latin Music Genres (Salsa, Merengue, Reggaeton, Latin Jazz, etc.), Multicultural Events & Multicultural Weddings, Weddings