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 Among the chief creators of "The Occi-Arab Fusion" music, Ralph El Khoury has accomplished what many others could not: he engraved his name on the footsteps of history. Combined ingenuity and talent generate REG. Who is Ralph El Khoury?
Born on the 25th of November, 1972, in Beirut, Ralph El Khoury kicked off his recent flourishing career as a DJ at the tender age of 15. After being elected as number one DJ in 1989/1990, he renounced his university studies to devote his time to his passion: music.
Ralph brought in live bands to various clubs where he occupied the post of music developer. His Musique du Monde comprises ethnic music along with international concoction. His new vision climaxed instantly. His natural blessing to create induced him to produce independently. Ralph feels the melody with his five senses and uses his sixth to rise above normal and procure distinguished rhythms. His blend of oriental into occidental beat consolidates his loyalty to his roots.
Ralph experimented with Zay Al Hawa for Abdel Halim Hafiz by inserting occidental beats to its Arab rhythm. Upon hearing the track, EMI productions requested a compilation of various tracks in an effort to strike a record deal. Teamwork being one of his principles, Ralph gathered with two musicians and they jointly created a concept, an identity, and an objective to an album. EMI signed immediately. REG Project One saw the light.
Registered Project is a trademark of the band which can perform starting six musicians to reach a hundred depending on the event per se. Not stepping off the shelf since its birth five years ago, the album topped number one sales for six weeks in a row and made the Golden Records in the GCC. The recognition of the band expanded with its live performances. In Europe, Claude Challe, a renowned French DJ adopted the album and presented the CD with his name entitled: New Oriental from REG Project, adding to it the legendary track of Wadih El Safi's Piece of Heaven. REG Project conquered Europe and paved the way to be contacted by famous artists such as Sarah Brightman and Bond.
A year later, REG Project 2 resulted in huge sales. Unlike the experimental album REG Project 1, the REG Project 2 was more mature. The band, which included 8-10 people on stage, had started to perform in Arab as well as European countries using various Oriental and Occidental instruments. It was a unique blend of rhythms. When Silk Road Production in Paris heard the track Rain Over Beirut, they wanted to include it in the movie they were producing. As meetings occurred for the movie, Waiting, the assassination of Prime Minister Rafiq El Hariri halted the progress of an agreement. The distressing news affected Ralph. He felt compelled to offer a tune for his country and his emotions intermingled to compose the sad tune of Waiting Immigrant, a soundtrack included in the REG project 3 produced in 2004/2005.
The feedback for REG Project 3 was so positive that the band was showered with invitations to perform all over the world. REG Project 3 is still standing on the shelves of music stores with record sales.
During the war of summer 2006, Ralph found peace in his studio and created the REG Project 4. Inspired by the ongoing surroundings of the war, Ralph poured all his feelings into a magnitude of potential songs. The overture of the album, Sabah El Nour, was invented on his laptop as he journeyed around the unique regions of the Lebanon during the war and the song per se includes part of Nadine El Assaad's poem. Tears from Beirut is dedicated to the postwar era in Lebanon. One of the tracks features the Shehadeh Brothers (BBC Music Award holders). Ralph had traveled to 30 countries around the world to produce REG Project 4. Cuba flared in him a song entitled Sea, S, and Sun. Love and Lust, as well as L'amour Toujours, is inspired from Paris's charismatic ambiance. REG Project 4 also contains two more remixes: Warda's Ouyoun El Soud and Bint El Shalabia. Michel Fadel stood beside him in finalizing his Mater work, "Michel Fadel is the best pianist ever," quotes Ralph.
There is a substantial credit to those who have worked on and helped in realizing REG Project albums.
On a personal level, Ralph El Khoury goes beyond the natural path to express to the listeners his inner aura. Carving his music in their souls and minds is his ultimate objective. "My dream is for every house to possess an REG Project album on its shelf." Ralph is an advocate to technology and education as well as the demand and supply theory as 'planet Earth is a big house and human race is but one family'. Ralph goes beyond physical appearances and religion and seeks inner beauty. Sensitivity overshadows all characteristics for he believes people can only achieve through their senses; it is only through the variety of feelings can he compose master pieces. His passion for Lebanon embraces his mind and soul and induces him to offer all his talent and time to the country where he grew and nurtured.
Ralph's Corner:
Best Countries:
Lebanon, Cuba, India, South Africa and Brazil.
Best Food:
Lebanese food
Favorite Quote:
Indian quote: I have to face everything that comes in this life.
Idol:
God
Best Experience:
Vibrating positive energy
Long Term Objective:
Pass on to the other world leaving behind footsteps of his talent
Short Term Objective:
For every household to have an REG Project album
Best Composer:
Baligh Hamdi
Zodiac Sign:
Sagittarius with little or no emphasis on his superstition!
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