FAKHR,ROGER
EAST OF ANY PLACE - LP

UPC: 673790037213
Label: HABIBI FUNK
Format: LP
Release Date: January 19, 2024
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Around 2 years ago, we released an album by Rogér Fakhr entitled “Fine Anyway” on Habibi Funk. It came about as a result of afternoons spent at Issam Hajali’s jewelry shop on Mar Elias Street in Beirut. When we first heard the songs of “Fine Anyway” we were blown away! The music was a mixture of folk with touches of other genres. Maybe one could also refer to it as “singer-songwriter,” since all of the songs were Rogér’s own compositions. Songs of unique beauty both musically and lyrically. At the same time, they gave us the feeling of them being somehow isolated capsules of time and space. Nothing really revealed where they could’ve been recorded and, not knowing it was Beirut, a first guess would have likely been Southern California, sometime in the 1970’s. The immersive effect of his compositions and voice are just incredible. When we put the album out, we knew we loved the songs and the music, but with its sound being slightly different and the lyrics sung in English, we were not sure whether it would find the same appreciation that other releases had had under the umbrella of Habibi Funk. Luckily, the appreciation of the album became quite apparent very quickly and it did not die down in the years to follow. In the process of putting together “Fine Anyway” we came across a number of other songs Rogér had recorded around the same time. Initially Rogér was not too fond of them for one reason or another, though in our minds the musical quality was not the reason. It was a treasure trove of songs that only a handful of people had access to. Some time ago, Rogér started working on some new songs that will hopefully will turn into a new album, and while we spoke about these, we brought up all these other songs we still had from the same sessions as “Fine Anyway,” and that we felt it would be great to share them with the world as a bonus to the songs already shared as part of “Fine Anyway.” Luckily, Rogér eventually agreed, and this is how we are able to share “East of Any Place.”

-"East of Any Place,” is a treasure trove of songs discovered alongside Rogér Fakhr's acclaimed 2021
album, "Fine Anyway." These tracks, hidden for decades and only passed between a handful of people, offer a glimpse into Rogér’s
musical genius and the vibrant scene of Lebanon during a period marked by civil war and social upheaval. 
-This release serves as a companion to "Fine Anyway," featuring studio tracks that didn't make it into the previous album.
-Comes with an extensive booklet featuring background and interviews with Rogér, including unseen photos, scans and more. 

Tracklist:

(You Look) So Funny
Dawn
East of Any Place
Queen Of Diamonds
Road of Farewell (feat. Bruna-Maria Naufal)
Down To My Bones
For Free
Rainhill
Had to See Harry
Drinking Tea