Bob Azzam & The Great Expectation: Bob Azzam & The Great Expectation (remastered, fire orange vinyl) [REAL GONE MUSIC]

Why you'll love it

Real Gone's remastered fire orange pressing of the cult album by Lebanese-Egyptian bandleader Bob Azzam and his group. It mixes pop, soul, bossa and a little psych, with a Rolling Stones cover, "The Last Time", and a take on "Berimbau".

This edition

• Remastered
• Fire orange vinyl
• Ten tracks across two sides

About the album

Bob Azzam was born in Egypt to a Lebanese family, scored a European hit in 1960 with "Mustapha" and spent the decade leading bands across France and Switzerland. By the late 60s he'd formed The Great Expectation and caught the spirit of the times: groovy organ, horns, harmonies and a taste for whatever was on the radio.

The album runs from the bubbly "Mr. Lovin' Luggage Man" and "Rain Rain Go Away" to a bossa turn on "Berimbau" and a punchy cover of the Rolling Stones' "The Last Time", with "Tricky Soul" and "Mon Amour" closing things on a soulful note. It's one of those records collectors pass around with a knowing smile. Hearing it now, the only great expectation is that you'll play side two straight after side one.

Tracklist

Listen

Out August 7, 2026 on Real Gone Music (cat# RGM-2152).