Eclectic music from the Arab world takes centre stage on Habibi Funk compilation

The label was set up to showcase eclectic sounds from across the Arab world - "a style of music that historically never existed as a musical genre", say the label. The songs chosen for the new album Habibi Funk 007: An eclectic selection of music from the Arab world were created in places quite far from another and under very different circumstances. Some were written and recorded during war times, others in exile but all are united by a common thread: where artists mixed local and regional influences with musical interests that came from outside of the region.

The label is also sharing two tracks from the record, including the first material from Kamal Keila - a musician who has been called the "James Brown or Fela Kuti of Sudan".

Habibi Funk is also dedicated to fair business practises, with all of the profits from their releases split equally with the artists without deducting any costs that aren't directly related to the release. Contracts are license deals with limited terms after which the rights fall back to the artist or the artist’s families. "We think it is important in today's reissue market, where too many shady business transactions happen, to be transparent about our licensing policies," they say.

The record drops on 1 December. The CD version comes with a 24 page booklet with liner notes, infos about all artist and releases while the double vinyl will have a 12 page booklet in 12“ size.