Nechazz - Habibi Funk 036: Pieces Of A Dream Nechazz

Unreleased 1988 modern soul meets city pop from late 1980s Jordan.

Recorded between 1988 and 1989 in a small eight-track home studio in Amman, Pieces Of A Dream captures a side of the Arab music scene rarely documented - a group of musicians deeply inspired by jazz, soul, yacht rock and city pop, creating music that sounds closer to late-night LA or London than what most would associate with Jordan at the time.

Nechazz were formed by Palestinian-Jordanian musician Basim Said and Khaldoon Nasser and Iraqi singer and guitarist Kassim Sabounchi. While the trio became locally known for their live shows at the iconic Amman club Rumours, the music they wrote and recorded together was never officially released and remained unheard even among friends and family of the band.

The album blends smooth R&B, jazz and sophisticated pop arrangements, drawing inspiration from artists such as Bobby Caldwell, Steely Dan, Michael Franks, George Michael, Tears For Fears, Level 42 and Stevie Wonder, while still sounding entirely their own creation.

Tracks like Love Meeting Love and Over You showcase the band’s smooth harmonies, synths and musicianship.

The release began as a cassette found in a family archive and has now eventually become one of Habibi Funk’s most pleasantly surprising resurgences of late 1980s Arab independent music - a timeless collection of songs made between rehearsals, nightlife shifts, aviation careers and everyday life in Amman.