Kadim Al Sahir – Ana Wa Laila

Iraqi singer and composer Kadim Al Sahir is known for setting classical Arabic poetry to grand orchestral music, and the title track, a long poem by Hasan Al Marwani, is his signature: dramatic, sorrowful and vocally demanding. Strings, oud and nay surround his powerful voice. Choose it for the most classical, poetry-led record on the list.