Tell us what you think:

Ahood Al-Rehani, UK
Ilham's presence at WOMAD lifted my spirit and took me back to my teens when I used to dance to his music and band in our Basrah Club, Alfayha, till the early hours of the morning on New years eves, I am so glad to see that he is a world know musician keeping the Iraqi tunes alive.. shame we don't see more of him touring the UK. Love u always

Abédin Golamaully, Stoke-on-Trent
With such absorbing rhythm, intoxicating music ensemble and inimitable version by Ihlam of those golden oldies, I am really bowled over to say the least!!

seloua
I addore you .. you music brings me back to Baghdad whare the breeze of civilization

Ihab Ramadaan, Buckinghamshire
Musicians come and go, but there are a few who are elemental, who create music that lives within the soul, a music that touches all who hear it...Ilham Al Madfai is perhaps the best example of this. Best wishes Ilham, we are proud of you.

Wasan, Canada
I'm very proud of Ilham..He makes me glad that I'm Iraqi. All the best.

George /Canda
ILHAM AL MADFAI IS A GENIUS MAN THANKS FOR THIS SITE THANKS FOR BBC

May, London
Ilham has managed to bring Traditional Iraqi 'Taraab'and folklore to modern times, enrich it and then let the rest of the world have the pleasure of tasting and enjoying it.

ALFAO
a MASTER by all means .

shereen
Great as always

Kumait from London
The best arabic singing and music, the arab world has produced.

Nat Razzaq - London
World roots at its best. Ilham al Madfai's performance at WOMAD was superb. Even though his unfaltering stage performance (at his concerts) is more diverse in musical style, he still is the no.1 man in the newly emerging world music tunes. His music combines universal sounds and familiar sentiments to everyone, which makes it appealingly enjoyable. BBC Radio3 please lets hear more of Ilham on air and live.

Liam O'Riley - Belfast
Great to know BBCRadio3 broadcasted this magnificent festival this year. I particularly enjoyed Ilham Al Madfai's stage performance. I bought his album at the Lyric Hammersmith last April and thought that each song carries a mysterious story behind it. One is frivolous and upbeat and the other can reveal a darker side of the afflicted Iraqi history. Even though all songs were in Arabic, the music still spoke a recognisable language. There's something strangely familiar about the song "Mawtini" (Iraq's anthem)& "Khuttar" (folklore song) that I can relate to in terms of musical arrangements. It must be challenging for any musician to be able to merge and fuse two completely different styles of music together, Middle Eastern and Jazz Western. But the wonderful thing about Ilham's music is taking the enormous responsibility of preserving Iraqi folklore identity, giving it a brand new face lift and presenting it to a diverse and younger international audience. I hope BBC Radio3 can provide us with more of his music and other talented artists like him.

Vivian Bedford - Croydon
Great music fom Ilham-Iraq, even though I thought understanding the songs will be a challenge, the music go me dancing all the way through. I bought his latest CD, "Best of Ilham", I can compare it to Latin & Med Jazz cafe music. I especially loved the last track "Mawtini" which is geared to be the future national anthem of Iraq, great melody & composition.

Rene Houit - Holland
I have seen Ilham recently perform in Europe but not in UK. His style of singing is so soothing and his music is lyrical to any listener, even if you don't understand what he's saying. I've rushed out and bought all his CD's in the shopd even though they're not widely available in Holland, I got them from music websites. More concert Mr Ilham in UK please.

Ken Powell - Islington
Thoroughly enjoyed Ilham AlMadfai's performance - it's great to know that we're opening up our eyes & ears to new music, away from prejudice and racial inequality. Iraq has long been a buried treasure in musical and artistic talent and Ilham is one of many undiscovered gems of Iraqi music. The West is waking up to a new era of ecclectic world music and we have music festivals and BBC radio 3 to partly thank for.

Ralph Foux - Glasgow
Al Madfai's music is captivating. I've followed his success over the years and have attended his concerts in the UK and Europe and he continues to draw the Arab and no-Arab audience alike to his mesmerising music. World music and earthy beats all the way. Best of luck Ilham

Ula Tobin, Oxfordshire
Ilham is simply the Godfather of arabic soul music. In years to come this man soulful music & voice will be compaired to the Legendary Louis Armstrong. Ilham's music was born to revive and inspire nostalgia in the human soul - optimistic and always youthful. I guarantee that anyone who enjoys rhythm will love Ilham's style.

Beverly, London
There have been many World jazz and fusion musical talents in the Arab over the years, but non have come close to Ilham's superb musical creations. His continuos developing Iraqi music gives the listener a sense of forever lasting euphoria in sureal world. Arabic music is not too familiar in the Western world, howevwer, his definitive music invites us into a familiar world of world jazz, rock, fusion oriental and some pop. And the best thing about his albums is that he takes each traditional song and turns it right around and makes it sound all different even when played live, recorded in a recording studio or solo. This man is a modern day Bach of world jazz.

Mike Goss, East Sussex
Read other people's comments then Tell us what you think: "There are no comments yet" Possibly because there is no gig recording yet. Any idea when it is likely to appear?

Host replies
Apologies, its available now.