Discography
A catalog of Omar Khorshid's musical recordings and releases throughout his career.
Omar Khorshid's recorded output spans solo albums, film scores, and collaborative projects that helped define the role of the guitar in Middle Eastern music. His discography reflects a restless creative spirit — blending traditional Arabic melodies with modern instrumentation and Western influences. The catalog below gathers his known releases, though new discoveries continue to surface among collectors and fans worldwide.
Solo Recordings
- Guitar El Chark 1973
- Rhythms from the Orient 1974
- Belly Dance with Omar Khorshid 1974
- Omar Khorshid Vol. 1 1975
- Omar Khorshid Vol. 2 1976
- Tribute to Oum Kalthoum 1976
- Guitar Magic 1977
- With Love 1978
- Rakset El Fadaa 1979
- Oriental Music 1980
Film Scores & Soundtracks
- Music from Egyptian Cinema — A collection of themes composed and performed for Egyptian films throughout the 1970s.
- Lebanese Film Works — Soundtrack contributions recorded during his productive years in Beirut.
Collaborations & Appearances
- With Abdel Halim Hafez 1970s Guitar accompaniment on several late-career recordings by the legendary Egyptian singer.
- With Fairuz 1970s Studio and live collaborations during his time in Lebanon.
- Oriental Party 1974 A collaborative instrumental album featuring multiple musicians from the Cairo scene.
Compilations & Reissues
- The Best of Omar Khorshid — Posthumous compilation gathering highlights from his solo career.
- Guitar El Chark (Reissue) — Later reissue of his landmark 1973 album for international audiences.
This discography is compiled from fan research and available records. If you have information about additional releases, please contact us.
Omar Khorshid's recordings are best understood as a bridge between the rich melodic traditions of the Arab world and the electric guitar, an instrument rarely associated with Middle Eastern music before his arrival. His solo albums of the early 1970s captured the energy of Cairo's nightlife, transforming beloved classical compositions and folk songs into rhythmic instrumental pieces that moved effortlessly between contemplative passages and danceable grooves. These recordings were not merely technical exercises; they carried genuine emotional weight, with Khorshid's fluid phrasing and subtle vibrato giving each melody a voice of its own. His ability to make the guitar sing in quarter tones and maqam scales earned him a devoted following across the region and beyond.
Beyond his celebrated solo work, Khorshid contributed significantly to the soundtracks of Egyptian cinema, lending his distinctive guitar tone to numerous films during a prolific period of the country's movie industry. These film scores showcased his versatility, allowing him to weave between dramatic underscore, romantic themes, and lively dance numbers with ease. Collaborative projects further expanded his reach, pairing his guitar with traditional ensembles and modern arrangements that anticipated later developments in world music. For collectors, his discography remains an ongoing pursuit, with rare pressings and regional variations still surfacing. Each new discovery adds another layer to understanding how one musician reshaped the sonic landscape of the Middle East.