Elias Rahbani ‎– Mosaic Of The Orient (1972)

Elias Rahbani is a composer, arranger, lyric writer, conductor & producer from Lebanon. With his Mosaic Of The Orient album, Rahbani has created a mix of Eastern and Western sounds. It’s a record like few others. Strong melodies accompany the use of Arabic instruments with the more Western use of organs and drums. I hope the story below captures some of the beauty, romance and excitement of this very rare and special record.

Unlike so many other sophisticated and intelligent women I’ve known, Maria Rahbani could never hide herself in a crowd. There was an elegance about her that was impossible to ignore. Devastatingly attractive with dark hair and eyes that, well… hinted at a woman with a very serious heart. I must admit now, I fell in love with her instantly.  Which isn’t an asset in my business. 

I knew from the beginning that Maria was no part-time woman. She was the living definition of grace, with a complex boldness that made my heart stop. This was one case where I wouldn’t be able to trust my judgement- I made a quick mental note of this fact. But you probably don’t understand what I mean.

Maria Rahbani was raised as only woman in a traditional household of men. Four brothers and an unforgiving father who did not have time for anything except the pursuit of power and money. If Maria wanted her rightful place in this important and powerful family, she was expected to fight for it. So she did.

Maria grew into a skillful and confident business person. She was also a woman who cared deeply about the injustice she saw around the world. This truth left a massive hole in the center of her heart, and a commitment to use her wealth and privilege to work for those being victimized. I sensed her internal vulnerability.  Somehow it echoed my own internal feelings of respect for her sacrifice.  

She developed a reputation as a tough but fair-minded business partner, and her family prospered. The Rahbani Family Auction House and the affiliated galleries blossomed under her leadership. Even her father’s so-called underworld connections respected her work and dedication. Unfortunately, her hands were “dirty” according to the Agency. Which is how Maria got on the radar of a deadly bastard like me. Please allow me to explain our situation. 

You may think that a woman like Maria would seek out one of the many attractive and attentive men of her own economic status. A simple and handsome suitor. But my analysis was that Maria had contempt for these egocentric and privileged men with wide, insincere smiles and limp, worthless handshakes. They would never see the women I saw. And I knew it would take more than a pretty face to perform the deadly chore the Agency had hired me to execute.  

I always start every new case with an extensive research period. After months of investigation, I came to understand this deeply complex woman as the most pure and beautiful woman I had ever seen.  

Who am I to be so concerned with Maria Rahbani? I will tell you all I can. My cover story is intriguing. The Agency spares no expenses for the creation of a plausible identity in these type of cases. John Richardson was the name in the background docia. An artist who had a promising career until his uncompromising attitude, short temper and lack of commercial potential doomed him to a life of second-rate jobs. I still moved within the art community and the Agency planted the occasional review or interview in a local fine-arts magazine.
 
Physically, I’m a tall man with an off-beat attractiveness. At 51, I’m beginning to hint at my age, the lines on my face beginning to reveal the stress that a lifetime of staging military coups, manipulation and murder can bring you. I was sure that I was exactly the kind of man that my dear Maria would find attractive (My Maria – that’s what I had begun calling her). And maybe she would even fall in love with me.  

You can lose your soul in this business. After 30 years, I am being considered a top-tier assassin for hire by multiple Intelligence Agencies in the West. A frontline protector of government foreign policies that are often schizophrenic and murderous. That’s why I received such lucrative contracts – to eliminate those who dared to work against the oligarchy responsible for most of the wars, revolutions and torture across the globe.  
And before you pass judgement, understand that someone like me is inevitable. A necessary tool for those controlling the world economic structure. A more equal distribution of income may sound great in your “democratic elections”. But sometimes the principals of our late-period capitalism need to defend their wealth and privilege more brutally. The Johnston family had been funding the growth of labor unions and increased wages throughout Asia and the Middle East for years. Funding was even used to start  pro-reform revolutions within some nations. 

Now you are probably wondering who funds such destructive activities.   That is the best part of the entire story – you do. That complicated web of tax dollars and government agencies is complex for a reason. It’s easy to get confused when the goal is confusion.   

Note: Much has happened since I first revealed myself to you. I’m struggling with a decision I have already made. Turns out that Maria is the love I had always hoped for. Somehow within the vileness of this world, we have found something within each other. I deplore the word “completeness”, but the hole within my own heart has been repaired. All the corruption and evil eating and destroying the core of my being put on hold.  

The Agency is putting on the pressure and also getting a little suspicious at my inability to complete my contract. And I know we will soon need to run. All we will have is the love built between us. And a lifetime of hiding from men who will be as deadly as I once was. We have made our decision.
 
Now you, dear reader, need to look within your own beliefs and false patriotism. Look passed the evening news. Don’t believe the stories you are told in the radio, television and internet about the need for endless wars.  
I’ve taken a chance sharing our story with you. So that you can question the pleasant, superficial distractions playing out before your eyes.  

by Shawn Ciavattone