The first in a trio of songs composed by Baligh Hamdi, 1964’s Seret El Hob merges Egyptian classical music with contemporary flair in an all-consuming tale of love. Umm Kulthum mesmerisingly recounts her steadfast resistance to romantic torment until the right person came along as a story of profound emotional transformation. It’s one washed with luxuriant strings, soul-baring vocals and risk-taking, improvisational highs mirroring an exhilarating journey of the heart. Recorded live with a rapturous audience, this remastered jewel reveals the sheer magic of Kulthum’s performances.