El Salaam is an amazing song. I'm not even a Arab, and truthfully, I have no idea what is being sung, but it sounds cool!

Perhaps the best Hakim album to date. The power of his vocal style is undeniable. The production values are extremely high to the point that the songs jump at you and the song selection is strong throughout. It is obvious that Hakim was reaching for a crossover kind of sound with this CD. This should appeal to all who want to listen to what Hakim has to say. What weaknesses there are show up in the duets on the album. The Olga Tanon duet is very appealing at first, but becomes distracting. It has a magnetism that is immediate, but loses something as it progresses into another ethnic puff piece that doesn't fit within the context of the overall concept of Talakik. Hakim's duet with Narada Michael Walden (Feelin' Good), while I'm a longtime fan of Waldens, sounds like it belongs on another record. The style doesn't fit with the rest of the songs.I believe that Hakim has the potential to be a GREAT international artist, appealing to all nationalities, musical tastes, and ethnic backgrounds. He has a sincerity in his style that is at once appealing, and emotionally gripping. This album is a fine example of just such artistry, and I highly recommend it to all who interested in progressive Arabic music.