Music Reviews
by Yasmina
Visions
- by Mirage
Saturn
Return - by Nathan Zavalney
Mosaic - by Americanistan
Desert Roses 2 - by various
artist, Ark 21 Records
Yarus - by Mirage
Bellydancing Breakbeats - by
Oojami
Evocation - by Domba
Desert Nights - by Desert Nights (winners of the
IMED best music award, 1998)
The Best of the Sultans - produced by Omar Faruk Tekbilek
Evolution - by Oasis
Other Sites with Music Reviews
The Art of Middle Eastern Dance
(by Shira)
Aziza's
Music Reviews
Shibar Mozuna
Search Amazon for Belly Dance music
A Musical Note
by Yasmina
The CD in review this month is “Visions" by Mirage.
1. Chem Ouzoum (4:31) 6. Makhmour Aghching (4:46)
2. Ya Sabiyeh (4:17) 7. Hayde Dour (3:26)
3. Nihavent (4:06) 8. Siseler (3:25)
4. Noubarin Boyuh (3:48) 9. Na Mi Naz Ouni (4:54)
5. Dancer’s Delight (7:13) 10. Dario Lo Lo (3:49)
Mirage has done it again a fantastic CD. If you own or have heard their first CD “Yarus” you will love “Visions”.
More great songs from the past, the classics to me. I love their mix of Armenian and Turkish music and a few Arabic songs thrown in. There version of “Habibi Ya Aini” is great; love that song I just wish it would have been longer. These songs have great rhythms to dance to especially the 6/8 and even a 10/8 to challenge your dance skills.
Mirage really brings these songs to the present with their mixture of keyboards and Kanun and the hard driving percussion sound.
I’m listening to Visions as I’m writing this review and it’s hard to sit still and concentrate on writing I want to dance!! The vocals are great I love Khatchig’s voice and the Kanun is such a beautiful sounding instrument. The dumbek and derbeki really get you moving and dancing. Mirage has such an amazing sound thanks guys for producing another CD for us to dance to.
The first song, “Chem Ouzoum”, is Armenian and is a great opening number, nice and peppy. About 2 ½ minutes into the song it slows down and picks up again to the end.
“Ya Sabiyeh”, an Arabic song, is the second song on the CD. It's another peppy song with the Kanun playing throughout and with vocals.
One on my favorite songs on this CD is “Nihavent”. I love slow songs and this is the first one. I love getting lost in the music while I perform and this song allows you to do so. This is the first instrumental and Turkish song on the CD.
“Noubarin Boyuh” will challenge your dancing skills. A medium tempo 10/8 Armenian song with vocals. The first time I heard this song I thought it was Greek just had that feeling for me.
If you need a dance routine that is under 8 minutes here you go. It’s called “Dancer’s Delight” and starts out with one of the most popular Arabic songs “Habibi Ya Aini” which lasts for about 1:50 and goes into a slow chiftelli for just over a minute. Hold on for the drum solo it will get you shaking!! The routine ends with quick tempo Arabic song “Yalabina”.
Another favorite song of mine that not only gave me goose bumps but also my students when I played this song in class. “Makhmour Aghchig” is another slow beautiful Armenian song in 6/8 and wonderful for veil.
“Hayde Dour” is a nice peppy 6/8 rhythm song with vocals a real toe taper.
I really like this version of “Siseler” a great Turkish song. Another instrumental and a nice medium tempo for dancing.
Another up beat Armenian song is “Na Mi Naz Ouni” with vocals. Great to dance to.
The last song on Visions, is “Dari Lo Lo” a nice fast song to end the CD with and a dance routine. About 2 minutes into the song it goes into a nice Kanun takseem and picks up with vocals again. There is a break in the music and the song changes into a 6/8 rhythm and back into 4/4 at the end.
You can purchase Visions from CD Baby. CD’s are $15 plus shipping.
Yarus is still available and can be purchased direct from Mirage’s
website and on CD Baby.
Remember this is my opinion to this music. I try to be as objective as I can.
Just because, I may like or dislike the music that is being reviewed, you may have a different opinion. Your dance style and tastes may differ from mine. Please use this as a guideline only.
Until next time...
Yasmina
A Musical Note
by
The CD in review is “Saturn Return"
by Nathan Zavalney. This
is “a collection of original instrumental soundscapes that combine
hypnotic desert rhythms with flowing melodies and improvisation”.
1. Shiva
2. Dream Sequence (
3. Trance Figure (
4. Saturn Return (
5. Night Driving (
Along with the CD
Nathan sent a press release and other information to help write this
review.
After receiving the CD
I took it with me to listen to during my facial.
My esthetician really enjoyed it and she’s not a belly dancer.
I took the CD to class one night for my advance class to dance to
and they really enjoyed it and the songs are very danceable.
Such a nice variety of sounds, styles and instruments are used in
Nathan’s music. It’s great
to get music that you can just sit and listen to but also you can get lost
in and dance.
I’m listening to Saturn
Return as I’m writing this review and I keep getting lost in the
music. It takes me to another
place but back to reality and this review.
The entire CD is instrumental with overtone singing on the last
song on the CD.
Most of the CD was featured as the soundtrack of
the Gypsy Spirit Instructional DVD with
Kelli Marie 2005.
The
first song, “Shiva
“Dream
Sequence” is the second song and features a violin.
This piece is slow and would be nice for improvisation or floor
work.
“Trance
Figure” is all drum. It’s
not a classic Egyptian drum solo with all the rhythm changes but it’s a
nice drum piece, very peppy. This
would be great for Tribal style dancing.
When listening to this song I envisioned dancers around a
I
love the explanation on the CD jacket for “Saturn Return” the next
song. “This is based on a 7 beat, 4 cycle pattern, rhythmically
symbolizing the 28 year period which it takes Saturn to return to the
location that it occupied an individual’s birth.
The time period surrounding this planetary relationship is thought
to be one of the great significance in a persons’ development”.
“Saturn Return” is one of my favorite songs on the CD.
To me it had a Spanish flavor to the song; a nice skirt dance piece.
I really liked the guitar in this song.
The
next song, “Night Driving” it like its name sake.
I can envision someone driving through the night.
It has that “driving” pulse through the song.
The sixth song, “Migration” is a very moving
piece; nice and slow. I love
the instrument that is used in this piece; its call a Duduk.
This instrument is Armenian and is has a double reed which gives it
that haunting soulful sound. You
can feel and envision the
“Terra
Firma” features the didgeridoo and udu drum.
The
next song, Romanian Hora” is my second favorite song.
The violin on this piece is so fiery and just makes you want to
dance; very gypsy sounding.
“Lions
on the
The
last song, “Shiva
You can download
sample songs and purchase Saturn
Return from Drum Brothers website, www.drumbrothers.com.
The CD is $16.00.
I give this CD thumbs
up I really like it and will use it in class for teaching and even use
several songs in a performance.
Remember this is my
opinion to this music. I try
to be as objective as I can. Just
because, I may like or dislike the music that is being reviewed, you may have a different
opinion. Your dance style and
tastes may differ from mine. Please
use this as a guideline only.
Until next time...
Yasmina
A Musical Note
by Yasmina
Mosaic
The CD in review this month is “Mosaic" by Americanistan.
1. Uskudar (4:24) 10. Razia Raks (4:15)
2. N’Etana (2:14) 11. Raks Siretzi (4:15)
3. Americano (2:29) 12. Song of Saqra (3:02))
4. Da Visa (5:01) 13. Zamara (3:03)
5. Inanna’s Veil (4:30) 14. Moroccan Trance Fusion (5:11)
6. Delilah (3:54)
15. Naia Saeeda (3:12)
7. Queen Mez (2:45) 16. Elena’s Villa (4:34)
8. Dodi Li (3:55) 17. Delilah II (6:13)
9. Rania’s Seven (3:40)
When I went to write my review of Mosaic I went to Americanistan’s
website to learn more about them. This is how they describe their music. "Americanistan performs music inspired by cultures of the Middle East and Mediterranean. Bellydance music is our specialty. Exotic sounds of ethnic instruments such as the kanun, harmonium, and ney flute, as well as the silver flute and harp, blend with the rhythms of dumbek, tambourine, and frame drum.”
Americanistan has been performing together for 13 years and is based in Eugene, Oregon. From their website: “Our goal is to create exciting, dynamic, beautiful music for each dancer we play for. We strive to tailor the music to the dancer's preference, style, and skill. We pride ourselves on our reputation as the most "dancer-friendly" band ever.”
I placed Mosaic in my CD player in my car and listened to it on my way home from the post office. I wish the drive was further so I could have heard more, I only got through the first four songs before I was home. On the way to rehearsal later that night I was able to listen to more of the CD. Needless to say by the time I reached practice I was inspired to dance and play music. I love all the mood changes this CD has to offer. It contains old classics like Uskudar, a Turkish folk song, and refreshing new music that beckons you to get up and dance.
I’m listening to Mosaic as I’m writing this review and I still love it. I really like the combination of the instruments used in Americanistan’s music. The kanun is one of my favorites, the harmonium was refreshing and works well with the kanun, I could have listened to the harp all day and my other favorite instrument the dumbek was a driving force the to music. It’s hard not to tap your feet or drum on the steering wheel when a dumbek is being played.
I enjoyed the arrangements of all the songs from this CD. The songs are all a nice length for dancing and combining them for a set to perform at a show or restaurant.
The first song, Uskudar, is a Turkish folk song that I haven’t heard in a long time. I loved the flute and kanun in this piece. This is a great opening number, nice and peppy.
N’Etana is the second song. This haunting song with the ney and frame drum just called for floor work. A dancer could really express themselves during this piece. This song is slow and moving.
The next piece, Americano, is the first drum solo on the CD. I’ve been listening to so many Egyptian style drum solos it was nice to hear something different. Very danceable piece that you can get creative with and not worry about hitting all the pops and accents. This would be good for a troupe drum solo.
The song, Da Visa, is a nice peppy, happy piece with flute and kanun. It’s one of the longer songs on the CD. The song starts peppy and goes into a taxim and ends peppy.
Inanna’s Veil is the first song with vocals. The main instrument in this piece is the harmonium and dumbek with flute moving in and out. Nice chifitelli.
Delilah is the next song and starts with kanun and mandocello echoing each other. The song picks up to a quicker tempo. This song was written for Delilah from Seattle.
The next piece highlights the harmonium. This song is a slower taxim. The CD cover states, Queen Mez is an original piece and “the stately melancholic Queen bears the sorrows of the world in her soul…”
I really liked the next piece, Dodi Li. It’s a traditional Israeli wedding song and the harp is beautiful in this song. Another piece you can really express yourself in your dance.
Rania’s Seven is another original piece and was inspired by Rania of California. The “seven” in the title of the song is for the time signature of the piece.
Razia Raks is the second drum solo on the CD. This is a high energy drum solo and another very danceable piece. A nice drum solo to choreograph a dance to. Out of the two drum solos this was my favorite.
Raks Siretzi is a belly dance classical. I haven’t heard this song in awhile. Made me want to drag out my old cassette tapes and listen to them again. Nice medium tempo song.
Song of Saqra is a moving piece with flute and vocal. It’s a slow powerful piece. Song is inspired by Saqra of Oregon.
The next song, Zamara, is an original piece inspired by Turkish gypsy music. Medium tempo with the use of the harmonium and kanun.
One of my favorite rhythms, Moroccan 6/8 drives this next song, Moroccan Trance Fusion. I really liked this piece, there’s something about the 6/8 rhythm that just moves me to dance. The flute over the drone of the bagpipe and the frame drum throughout the song was awesome.
Naia Saeeda is an original piece and the CD cover called this song saucy. The song is medium tempo and to me would be a nice tribal piece.
Elena’s Villa is an original song starting slowly with the flute and ending in a medium tempo.
This is a Spanish flavored piece with voice in the background throughout. The song is based on a popular Spanish melody that I’ve heard before, but don’t know the title. Loved the castanets in the background.
The last song on the CD was Delilah II. This was a longer version of the earlier song entitled Delilah.
You can listen to music clips from Mosaic from Americanistan’s
website.
You can purchase Mosaic and their other CD’s direct from their website.
They take PayPal or any major credit cards. Mosaic is $18.00 which includes shipping.
You can also email Americanistan
for more information or questions.
Their website also listed several stores in Eugene Oregon where you can purchase their music.
Remember this is my opinion to this music. I try to be as objective as I can.
Just because, I may like or dislike the music that is being reviewed, you may have a different opinion. Your dance style and tastes may differ from mine. Please use this as a guideline only.
Until next time...
Yasmina
A Musical Note
by Yasmina
This CD is excellent. I love the variety of music on Desert Roses
2. What ever your mood is, there is a song on the CD to dance
to. I love the mixture of Merengue, Hip-Hop, Latifa, Rai, Salsa and Pop
with Arabic flavor and rhythms.
The CD contains the following 14 songs:
| Ah Ya Albi | 5:06 | Yalla Habibi | 4:38 |
| Lirrili | 4:45 | Call of the Wild | 3:28 |
| En Retard | 4:50 | Bain Albareh Wa Al Yom | 4:08 |
| Take Me I'm Yours | 4:25 | Yalla Ya Chabab | 5:10 |
| Baida | 3:55 | Istanboogie | 5:20 |
| Naachak Fik | 4:38 | Trigue Lycee | 4:20 |
| Albi Htar | 4:00 | The Merciful One | 5:00 |
My favorite songs were:
- Ah Ya Albi - great song, very danceable. Loved the mixture of the two languages, Arabic and Spanish.
- Lirrili - another great danceable song. I really liked the sound of the Tunisian bagpipes.
- En Retard - I loved the ethnic flavor of this song. Nice driving percussion rhythm throughout.
- Take Me I'm Yours - Great version of Squeezes' song by the same title. This song is sung in English with a sort part in Arabic. This would be a fun song to dance to.
- Baida - The CD jacket states that the song uses Algerian rhythms but it sounds like a wonderful Persian 6/8 to me. This song would be a great veil piece.
- Call of the Wild - Quick temp club music sung in English. Great Middle Eastern drumming to start the song.
- Yalla Ya Chabab - Wonderful Spanish flavor song. The guitar is fantastic. This song calls for dancing with your skirt.
- Istanboogie - This song is by Oojami, see my review of Bellydancing Breakbeats, the CD this song is from. This song is an instrumental piece, club music.
- Trigue Lycee - This song has a great beat and is very danceable. The piece is in the style of music from India.
After listening to Desert Roses 2, I will be purchasing the first one, Desert Rose & Arabian Rhythms.
To listen to some of the tracks visit Mondo Melodia website.
The CD is available on Amazon.com,
You can also purchase
the CD from Ark 21 Records:
Ark 21 Records
14724
Ventura Blvd., Penthouse Suite
Sherman
Oaks, CA 91403
818-461-1700
email:
morgan@ark21.com
A Musical Note
by Yasmina
The CD in review this
month is “Yarus" by Mirage.
I hope you will be able
to use my sound
advice on this one.
1. Acheret
(5:19)
6. Bobik Choor Mi Era
(5:49)
2. Karoun Karoun (3:39)
7. Sareri Hovin Mernem
(5:29)
3. Amen Aravod (6:13)
8. Kharperti Tamzara (4:56)
4. Habibi (5:22)
9. Vart Siretzi (4:09)
5. Kanoun Taksim/Rampi Rampi (4:53)
After receiving my
copy of Yarus I requested more information about Mirage and their
music for this review. They
were very helpful and I have included the information they sent plus the
notes contained on the CD covers.
I placed Mirage’s CD
in my CD player and went about doing my housework.
Well, I didn’t get much housework done I danced the entire CD.
I loved hearing the songs I danced to when I first started belly
dancing. I was so
inspired by this CD when I first heard it.
I was thinking what show is coming up where I will be dancing to
taped music.
I’m listening to Yarus
as I’m writing this review and I still love it. The vocals are great and I love the sound of the Kanun and
oud throughout the CD. The
doumbek and derbekki are awesome, but being a doumbek player I can be a
little prejudice J.
I enjoy the arrangements of all the songs from this CD. The songs are all a nice length for dancing and combining them for a set to perform at a show or restaurant.
The first song, Acheret Siroon, ‘is a popular Armenian love song
which shows the singer’s unconditional love towards his sweetheart who
taunts him even in his dreams. The song is a beledi
(8/4 time signature) rhythm, which reflects its Arabic origins”.
This is a great opening number, nice and peppy.
Karoun
Karoun is the second song. It's
another peppy song with the Kanun and keyboards playing throughout.
This is another song with vocals.
Mirage’s comment about this song: “without a doubt, the most
well known Armenian folk tune, Karoun Karoun is a typical love song in
which the singer warns his sweetheart to be careful and not listen to evil
words. This song’s popularity has led to versions in Arabic (Fatoom,
Fatoom), Turkish and Greek. The rhythm is in 4/4 and presented here a bit
zestier than usual – making this folk tune great for belly dance”.
My
favorite song on the CD is Amen Aravod.
I love slow songs, I can really get lost in the music while I’m
performing and my creative juices start to flow.
I get goose bumps listening to this song.
Amen Aravod “Come to me so Our Love won’t die” is the theme
of the Armenian love ballad. This
melancholy piece is a great example of the emotions presented in Armenian
music.
Many
of you will know this next song, Habibi.
This is another great peppy song, which would be great for either
an opening or closing number. I
can’t keep my feet from tapping and my body swaying as I right this.
Habibi is a traditional Arabic dance tune in which the singer calls
out to his love (habibi) saying, “ you are the light of my eye”.
The
next song starts with a Kanoun taksim for about a minute and a half and
goes into Rampi Rampi, a Turkish 9/8. I like the way Mirage explains what
‘taksim” means. “The
taksim is a Middle Eastern improvisational style. Each Taksim is based in
a certain mode dependant on the song preceding or following it, or based
on the feeling of the performer. The melody is totally improvised by the
musician and follows no rhythmic pattern”.
This song is all instrumental and I enjoyed the Kanoun playing on
this piece of music.
The
sixth song, Bobik Chour Me Era, is another fast song with vocals.
This is the only song on the CD I had never heard before. I liked the rhythm of this song, very danceable.
Mirage explains this song as being a “traditional eastern
Armenian village folk tune. The lyrics for songs such as this are based on
a common chorus and an improvised verse (khagh).
These verses change based upon where the song is sung, and who is
singing”.
My
second favorite song is Sareri Hovin Mernem.
This is a 6/8 rhythm and yes it’s slow.
It’s a traditional Armenian love song and it’s beautiful.
Kanoun and keyboards backing up the vocal takes my breath away.
I
really like this version of Tamzara.
This is a nice medium 9/8 song with vocal. “Tamzara is a
traditional Armenian folk tune/dance know throughout eastern and western
Armenia. The song is sung and danced with different words and steps
depending on the region. It is played in a 9/8 time signature and is most
popular at various Armenian weddings and events”.
The
last song on Yarus, is Vart Siretzi as an instrumental.
This is a beautiful 6/8 slow song and another favorite.
I have always enjoyed this song and I love this version of it.
It has always brought a tear to my eye and I never knew why.
After reading Mirage’s comments about the song, now I know.
Vart Siretzi is “a traditional Armenian love song and a style
popular in Eastern Armenia. In the original piece, the singer talks of how
his love is like a rose with a thorn. As lovely as his dear one is, she
leaves him and like a thorn, pricks his finger as he longs for her
love”.
You
can purchase Yarus direct from The
Big Drums.
Checks
and money orders in the amount of $18.50 ($15.00 CD + $3.50 shipping)
should be made out to Ed Karagozian and sent to:
The
Big Drums
c/o EMK
P.O. Box 279
Fowler, CA 93625
The
Yarus CD is now available for purchase through most major online retail
music Web sites (e.g. Amazon.com, Borders.com, CDBaby.com, etc.). Mirage
recommends CDBaby.com for the quickest shipment. Yarus can be purchased
also by ordering through your local Barnes & Noble Booksellers in
their music section.
Here
is a link to the Online
Retail Outlets and Audio Clips for Yarus CD.
Remember this is my
opinion to this music. I try
to be as objective as I can. Just because, I may like or dislike the music
that is being reviewed, you may have a different
opinion. Your dance style and
tastes may differ from mine. Please
use this as a guideline only.
Until next time...
Yasmina
A Musical Note
by Yasmina
The CD in review this
month is “Bellydancing Breakbeats" by Oojami. I hope you will be
able to use my sound advice on this one.
1. Chicky
(5:02)
9. Esrar (4:34)
2. Fantasy (5:03)
10. Zenne (5:37)
3. Urban Dervish (5:50)
11. Boomzaza
(5:40)
4. Desert Fish (5:00)
12. Boda (4:30)
5. Sitare (4:50)
13. Palas (4:42)
6. Vuslat (5:25)
14. Tin Tin
(5:32)
7. Azize (4:48)
15. Neyzen
(5:12)
8. Istanboogie (5:22)
After being contacted
by Ark 21 Records I requested more information about Oojami and their
music for this review. They
were very helpful and I have included the information they sent plus the
notes contained on the CD covers.
Here is a press
release sent by Ark 21 Records that really describes what Oojami’s music
is all about.
Necmi
Cavli, the composer of Oojami (Sangey Varma, Phil Winter, Ahmed Mohammed,
Nicola Taylor, Necmi Cavli) puts the phenomenon of Belly dancing onto disc
with the release of Bellydancing Breakbeats.
Set for release on February 26, 2002, the 15-track disc blends
electronic beats with the traditional festive sounds of Cavli’s homeland
- Turkey. All of the songs
were written by Oojami and the disc features guest appearances by Najma,
Akim, and Samir Bouchakara.
Well
known in London for his spectacular club nights, which feature live
performances by Oojami, Cavli’s music is a fitting backdrop to the
whirlwind of belly dancers, fire eaters and trapeze performers that
accentuate his funked up beats. His
debut CD, Bellydancing Breakbeats, captures the energy and
excitement of his club nights and brings them to disc.
This CD is the perfect companion for anyone interested in
bellydancing or for those just wanting to break away from their hectic
lifestyle to a place of romance and mystery
Both the press release
and CD jacket talk about the night club influence in the music and that is
what my husband’s first comment was, “sounds like club music”.
He hadn’t read any of the material I had on this CD before saying
this, so it is really evident throughout the CD.
Necmi Cavli, the composer of Oojami, is from the
sleepy Mediterranean town of Bodrum on the southern coast of Turkey.
He is the driving force
behind the new Anglo-Turkish world beat outfit Oojami, doesn't really know
what to call the kind of music his band plays. The name, Oojami, is a
derivation of the English term 'oojamaflip', used when you can't remember
something, and thus, Necmi Cavli claims, an appropriate reflection of the
band's indefinable musical identity.
“Oojami’s
fascination with music from different cultures has enabled him to create
rich soundscapes encapsulating the energy and passion of the belly dance
fused with pumping rhythms to keep you dancing all night.”
This statement was taken from the information sent to me and really
sums up the their music.
Chicky,
the first song on the CD, is a quick 4/4, heavy rhythm driven song.
Once you get past the Arabic vocals in the background with English
Rap melody layered over that, it’s a cool song.
The club influence is very promident in this opening number.
The second song, Fantasy,
to me was more Rock ‘n Roll influenced in a 2/4 rhythm.
This song had vocals as background addition, but was an
instrumental piece with a “nay” or flute melody provided by electronic
means.
Urban Dervish,
another hard driving song is another instrumental piece with the use of a
string instrument and vocal background.
I enjoyed this song, it is easy to dance to and had a middle
eastern influenced melody.
The next song, Desert
Fish, again was a quick tempo in 4/4 song.
Middle east influenced melody with uses of a Zurna (double reed
instrument) sound provided by electronics and zills and vocals in the
background. This song had a
feel of a more ethnic style, something you would hear from the streets of
a village in the mid east.
This next song, Sitare,
was my favorite of the entire CD. The
heavy “India” influence was so refreshing and the vocalist has a great
voice. I used this song in
class during our shimmy workout and my students really enjoyed. The song is a medium 4/4 tempo and a blast to dance to.
It’s really fun, can’t sit still when this song is playing.
Vuslat
is the next piece. I don’t
know how to describe this song. It’s
a medium tempo 4/4 with the use of some type of string instrument with a
heavy base sound. Vocals
added in the background throughout, but it doesn’t remind me of
anything. You would need to
be in a strange mood to dance to this one.
This next song blew me
away. I have never heard Azize
in this style of arrangement before.
I was driving down the road listing to the CD and went cool I song
I know, well thought I knew. This
version is very up-to-date.
Istanboogie
was another high-tech song with a mid east influence throughout.
This was a medium tempo piece.
Esrar
was the first slow song on the CD, but still with a beat.
This song reminded of the style of music from “Songs from the
Victorious City”, by Anne Dudley and Jaz Coleman.
The next song Zenne
was another 4/4 medium tempo piece. This song to me was heavy and dark.
Boomzaza
is a slow piece starting with vocal and then the music coming in.
This song has a flute sounding melody with heavy rhythm in the
background. The song had a definite Middle Eastern influence sound.
Boda
starts slow with the electronic keyboard and then comes in the drum with a
rhythm we all know, baladi. This is the first piece on the CD I heard that had a definite
Middle Eastern rhythm I recognized. Love
the drum sound on this one. This
song has all the elements of a belly dance piece.
The song, Palas,
to me was kind of funky. I
liked it when the drums were playing that funky beat and the use of the
violin sound. The song
started and ended slow, but was a medium/slow tempo for the majority of
the time.
Tin Tin
used the dombec along with the electronic drum sound.
Also the violin sound was back in this piece.
Kind of a gypsy influenced piece.
The last song, Neyzen,
starts out haunting, with the sound of water and I think I heard birds.
Vocals were in the background along with chords being played on the
keyboard. The sound of
thunder and rain comes in. The
song rhythm changes with more water sounds.
The rhythm of the song reminded me of Passion by Peter Gabriel.
This was a very moving piece, slow in nature and yes there were
more bird sounds. I liked it.
This song you could really show feeling when you danced.
I enjoyed listening to
Bellydancing Breakbeats, it was fresh, different to what I usually listen
to and dance to. If you are a
dancer that likes hard driving music, something out of the ordinary, hip,
funky, cool and all around fun at times, this CD is for you.
You can purchase/order
Bellydancing Breakbeats direct from Mondo Melodia, http://www.mondomelodia.com.
From the website you can listen to some of the songs.
The direct link is http://www.mondomelodia.com/oojami.htm.
You will need Flash 5 to view the site.
The CD is available on Amazon.com,
You can also purchase
the CD from Ark 21 Records:
Ark
21 Records
14724
Ventura Blvd., Penthouse Suite
Sherman
Oaks, CA 91403
818-461-1700
email: morgan@ark21.com
Remember
this is my opinion to this music. I
try to be as objective as I can. Just
because, I may like or dislike the music that is being reviewed, you may have a different
opinion. Your dance style and
tastes may differ from mine. Please
use this as a guideline only.
Until next time...
A Musical Note
by Yasmina
The CD in review this
month is “Evocation" by Domba.
I hope you will be able
to use my sound
advice on this one.
1. Field Recording I
(1:03)
8. Suhaila (3:45)
2. Sadunga (2:45)
9. Khuyaq I (6:24)
3. Zuma Gwaza (1:50)
10. Bidi Medley
(4:30)
4. Roma Bari (4:25)
11. Kpalogo (3:48)
5. Sephina (4:45)
12. Khuyaq II (5:48)
6. Afoxe (1:32)
13. Field Recording
II (3:07)
7. Bascha (4:16)
After purchasing Evocation,
I contacted Domba to let them know I wanted to review their new CD.
I asked for more information about their music.
I have included their notes within this article.
The first song on the
CD, Field Recording I, was recorded at the 1998 Arizona Renaissance
Festival with guest musicians from Ahdab of California.
This opening number is a very peppy ayyub. This song is a great opener for any routine.
Really grabs your attention.
Sadunga
is a very beautiful song with a European gypsy feel with the use of
mandolin and vocals. A nice
slow moving song, great for veil. This
song is one of many favorites I have from this CD.
The third song, Zuma Gwaza, is an African chant sung by the entire troupe. The song consists of vocals and percussion instruments.
Roma Bari,
means the big woman of the group in Gypsy.
The song starts out with zills being played on the ground, and then
the drums join in before the melody starts.
This is a very peppy song that gets the crowd going.
The group used lots of joyful vocal sounds throughout this piece.
The rhythms in this tune are Baladi and Ayubb.
The next song, Sephina,
features the droyanka, which is a double fipple flute.
This instrument plays both the drone and the melody at the same
time. This song is slow and
moving. This is another good
song for veil or snake, even sword. I
really enjoyed this piece, another favorite from the CD.
Afoxe,
is a Brazilian rhythm from Bahia, which is the most African region of
Brazil. Great drum and
percussion is used on this piece.
The seventh number on
the CD has an awesome rhythm, Malfouf.
I love this beat and the use of the ney and vocal on this tune.
The song starts out slow with vocals only.
Then picks up to a quick tempo.
The song changes back to a slow break with just vocals and ends
back in the faster tempo. This
is another great song for veil. I
enjoyed this song due to its medium tempo and great beat.
Suhaila of California
inspired this next song. After
taking a workshop and purchasing some of her videos, this song was born.
Suhaila starts with 6/8, goes into baladi and ends in an
ayyub. The baladi and ayyub
section is pure drum & zills and lots of joyful vocals.
You definitely cannot sit still during this section.
During the end of the ayyub, you hear jingles fill the air.
This was created by some of the dancers shimming in front of the
microphone.
Khuyaq I
is a very haunting song. This song is great for snake dancing. The use of the Mijwiz is awesome. The rattles used in the background really make this song feel
snakey. This is the longest
song on the CD and another favorite of mine.
The next song is the
groups Belly Dance medley. The
rhythms used in this piece are dabek, masmoudi and Karachi.
Drums and zills start out this tune.
The masmoudi moves into a slower pace with the use of wind
instruments for the melody. The
gong is struck and the song moves back into drums and zills for a fast
pace ending. Great little
three part routine using fast, slow fast pieces.
Kpalogo
is a traditional West African song and dance.
The young people, normally under the moonlight, usually perform
this dance. If you have seen
Domba perform you have seen them do this number.
Wow, what a work out!
This next piece is
tremendous. It features the
didjeridoo and mijwiz as the main instruments.
This song is another slow and very haunting.
I feel if you use this song in a routine you can be very creative
and expressive in your dance. Domba
uses this song and Khuyaq I for their snake dance.
I like this song because the didjeridoo is so prominent throughout.
Very cool instrument.
The last song, Field
Recording II, was also taped at the 1998 Arizona Renaissance Festival.
The song starts out lively with the use of wind instruments and
drums. The song gets even
faster at the end. The melody
was very familiar to me and then I realized that I have heard this tune on
Gypsy Caravans, Live at Berdati.
Great song, and I like Domba’s rendition.
Domba, a Sanskrit term
referring to those who earn their living by singing, dancing, and making
music consists of Tom Cooper, Bill Brauckman, Heidi Alexander and Jennifer
Giacomelli. Special artists
that helped with the CD are Samanatha Riggs, Eric Zang and Tony Obr, plus
incarnations of Domba past and present.
I really enjoyed
Domba’s new CD. Each time I
listen to it I hear something new. The
variety of songs, styles and rhythms are refreshing.
Most of the songs are short, so you can mix them together to create
a variety of 8 to 10 minute routines.
The CD also had a nice variety of vocal and instrumental pieces.
You can purchase/order Evocation direct from Domba at:
Domba
P.O.
Box 2127
Tempe,
AZ 85280
(480)894-9783
website:
http://www.domba.com
email:
domba@mindspring.com
Remember this is my
opinion to this music. I try
to be as objective as I can.
Until next time...
top
A Musical Note
by Yasmina
The tape in review this month, is "Desert Nights" by Desert
Knights.
CD:
1. Desert Nights (theme song) 3:38
2. "Egyptian" Piece
5:23
3. Acacia
3:39
4. The Veil
4:36
5. Sahara Caravan
5:36
6. Lila
2:27
7. Oasis
4:33
8. Serpentine
3:52
9. Under Gaia’s Shadow 5:09
10. Lone Dove
3:58
11. Ayoob
2:33
12. Ay Ya Zein
3:10
Desert Knights is a two-man group from Arizona. The members are Adam C. Burke and William Warren. All the songs on the CD, except for Ay Ya Zein were written by the group. The entire CD is instrumental. The first song, Desert Nights, is what they call their theme song. This song is a medium tempo Baladi. I really like this song; it is so easy to dance to. The song enables each player to have his solo, then play together. The main solo instruments on this piece are mandolin and guitar. The second song is "Egyptian" Piece. This is a very slow Baladi with the use of the electric guitar. You can envision a scene from Ancient Egypt while listening to this mysterious and haunting melody. Acacia is the next song. A nice lively chiftitelli. It is great for sword. You can really use the rhythm as either a slow sensuous mood or add the quickness of the melody. If you like masmoudi, you will enjoy The Veil. The main instrument in this song is the Turkish baglama-saz. It’s a medium tempo song, just right for a lively veil routine. Sahara Caravan is a short mini routine. Starting out with a lively baladi, moving into a slow baladi and ending with a fast finale. The piece evokes the moods of a long journey across the desert, with a night’s rest along the way. The next song is my favorite, its entitled Lila. I love this song. It is so happy, fast and fun. A great opening number, I just wish it was longer. I really enjoy the mandolin in this piece. Oasis is another great masmoudi song from the CD. You imagine yourself in the desert looking for that illusive oasis. My next favorite from the CD is Serpentine. Closing my eyes and listening to this chiftitelli, I see the many facets of the snake. I should know, I have four of the little creatures. When I listen to the next song, Under Gaia’s Shadow, I envision many things. Should I do Floorwork, no veil, no a song to totally get lost in. This song has no beat. There is a ringing of constant bells, with keyboard and space guitar. A very powerful, moving piece. The next song is everyone’s favorite. All the dancer’s that perform to Desert Knights music want to dance to this next selection, Lone Dove. A medium tempo baladi with the addition of the coo of the desert morning dove. I like to us veil to this song. The next song, Ayoob, is pure drum. A medium fast of pure ayoob rhythm. The last song on the CD is, Ay Ya Zein. I enjoyed Desert Nights rendition of this popular Arabic song.
I have performed with the band on several occasions. I enjoy dancing to their music. It’s new, fresh, exciting and easy to dance to.
You can purchase this CD or tape from most belly dance vendors, or direct from:
Desert Knights
P.O.Box 15051
Phoenix, AZ 85060-5051
CD’s are $15.00 and cassette tapes are $10.00.
Remember this is my opinion to this music. I try to be as objective as I can.
Just because, I may like or dislike the music that is being reviewed, you may have a different opinion. Your dance style and tastes may differ from mine. Please use this as a guideline only.
Until next time...
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A Musical Note
by Yasmina
The tape in review this month, is "The Best of the Sultans" produced by Omar Faruk Tekbilek.
CD:
1. Yollar Uzak (Routine, volume 1) 7:00
Yarim Kalan Ask
Yesillim
2. Nadya (Volume 2)
3:43
3. Mastika (Volume 3)
4:06
4. Mona
Nay Solo
Drum Solo, Finale (Sultans ‘90) 9:06
5. Habibi Ya Ayni (Sultans ‘90)
6:10
6. Maas-Salama (Sultans ‘90)
3:54
7. Tfarrak Al Halawah (Sultans ‘90) 3:47
8. Zennube (Volume 3)
5:44
Nay Solo
9. Beytus-Shabab (Routine, Amaya) 9:05
10. Dere (Volume 1)
4:46
11. Emine (Sultans ‘90)
3:43
The first song is a short routine consisting of a fast, slow, fast. This group of songs are Egyptian style, that are all instrumental. The first song is very peppy, which transitions into a nice rumba, then picks up for a peppy closing. So many times we are asked to dance in a show for 7 to 8 minutes; this routine is perfect for that. The next song, Nadya, I loved. I have heard this song before. It is a medium fast with the use of a zurna, which gives it that ethnic sound. Mastika, is again an ethnic song. A very up beat 9/8. This song is the first vocal on the CD. The next routine is Mona. It consists of a fast, slow, drum solo and finale. I have used this routine several times in restaurants. It is Egyptian style with all the various rhythm combinations throughout. The opening is fast, moving into a slow, moody song with the nay. You can really get lost in this slow. The drum solo is fun. If you know me, you know I don’t do drum solos. This one has a wolf whistle in the middle of it. The finale is again peppy. You hear so many versions of the next song on the CD, Habibi Ya Ayni. I enjoyed the Sultans version; it is very danceable. Maas-Salama, is a slow moving 6/8; great for veil. The next song is a very fast ethnic piece with slow mixed in. There are vocals on this song, with the main instruments being drum, nay and zurna. The next song Zennube, is an old classic. It starts out fast and is an instrumental. Very ethnic sounding song with the use of the zurna and nay. The song changes into a nay solo rather suddenly. The next series of songs is a great ethnic mini routine. I have performed to this routine on several occasions. It starts out with a nice bouncy baladi. It’s almost like your right there in the market place dancing to music. The fast stops and you are transported into a slow moving chifetelli with the zurna taking over. The routine is ended with another classic, Haddouni, which is a vocal. This is a great routine to use a cane as an opening number. Dere, is another ethnic piece and a karshlimar. Another old favorite and also a vocal. The last song on the CD is Emine. This is an ethnic sounding song and a vocal. Most of you will recognize it; it’s an old Turkish song.
I love this CD. I really like the combination of both ethnic and Egyptian music together. I recognized most of the music on the CD. I have either heard it from watching other dancers or from videos I have purchased. I have used several of the routines in performances in restaurants and I am using a piece to choreograph for my Troupe. It is so nice to purchase music and be able to use several songs on the CD. So many times we are lucky to be able to use one song from a tape or CD.
You can purchase this CD from most belly dance vendors, or direct from:
Faruk The Sultan’s Recording
P.O.Box 17031
Rochester, NY 14617
716)325-4525
716)454-5836 fax
http://www.dynrec.com/tekbilek
Remember this is my opinion to this music. I try to be as objective as I can.
Just because, I may like or dislike the music that is being reviewed, you may have a different opinion. Your dance style and tastes may differ from mine. Please use this as a guideline only.
Until next time...
top
A Musical Note
by Yasmina
The tape in review this month, is Oasis, "Evolution". I hope you will be able to use my sound advice on this one.
Side A:
Side B:
Mustafa (6:05)
Hasapiko (4:09)
Margo (5:06)
Hora Agadotti (4:38)
Little Egypt (4:52)
Linda, Linda (5:17)
Zemer Atek (3:49)
Sali (4:57)
Upon receiving my tape, Denis knew I would be reviewing Evolution, he enclosed background notes. These notes consisted of information about the songs, musicians and how the title for the tape came to be. I have included some of his notes within this review.
Mustafa, a popular song among many cultures, is played in a Greek tsiftelli rhythm. Oasis made this song into a short dance routine, including a sultry slow tsiftelli and a drum solo. Margo is an Armenian song, which was imported from a folk dancing repertoire and arranged by Oasis for the belly dancer. A very beautiful song. This was one of my favorites off the tape. I really enjoyed the clarinet lead. Little Egypt is known by all. It is an old and popular American melody. Oasis recreated it into a short dance routine. Romnea, a popular belly dancer in Wisconsin, road tested this routine in countless belly grams and reported that audiences greeted this music with wild enthusiasm. Zemer Atek is the first of two Israeli folk songs on the tape. The other song is on Side B entitled Hora Agadotti. Jim Wirt composed custom-made rhythms for both numbers to make them effective for belly dancing. Hasapiko is a generic term for a happy, upbeat Greek song. This is what Oasis did with the arrangement of this song. Hora Agadotti is the second Israeli folk song. A nice, fast little number with a great beat. Makes you really tap your foot. Linda, Linda a very popular song among Middle Eastern cultures. This song was done in a short Egyptian cabaret-style routine with four distinct sections. Sali is a very old Turkish love song. Oasis arranged this song in an up-tempo mode, played on the bouzouki with a guitar accompaniment. This was my favorite song on the tape. Denis wrote in his notes that this song is usually known as "Bir Demet Yasemen" which means "Bouquet of Jasmine".
The name "Evolution" was chosen for the title because the Oasis band has matured and grown as individual musicians. Evolution is the culmination of their collective musical experience and influences.
The musicians on the tape are as follows:
Denis Kavemeier has studied music at the University of Wisconsin and has played with a variety of bands for 30 years. He plays the Greek bouzouki, acoustic guitar and acoustic bass guitar on the tape. Denis also plays as a sideman with various ethnic music bands in Wisconsin.
Jim Wirt plays a variety of authentic percussion instruments on Evolution. He has studied with Arabic and African percussion masters. He plays percussion as a sideman with other bands as well. Jim and Denis are general partners in the Oasis business, and Jim handles the recording and sound production.
Fred Melk, guest musician, is an accomplished professional clarinetist in Wisconsin. He is the leader of the band Izvor, which specializes in East European folk dance music. The songs that he performs on Evolution are adapted for belly dance from the Izvor repertoire.
Steve Wurcer, guest musician, is a talented guitarist with the eclectic Irish band, The Stack. He plays a variety of stringed instruments, including an unusual guitar-synthesizer on Linda, Linda.
Romnea, guest musician, plays zills on Little Egypt. Denis states that she is the hardest working belly dancer in Wisconsin. She performs nearly 365 days a year in nightclubs and at private parties.
I really enjoyed Oasis new tape. It has been a long time coming. I enjoyed listening to the instruments they use in their music. The majority of songs they chose for the tape, were songs I have heard and danced to before. I enjoyed their new arrangements of these songs. I also like the fact that they had made some of these songs into short routines. These are great for bellygrams or when you need a short routine.
AOther tapes by Oasis are:
Songs from the Oasis - 1986
Nights at the Oasis - 1989
The drums of Oasis - 1989
Oasis tapes are available from most belly dance vendors, or direct. Tapes are $10.00 and Evolution is available in CD for $15.00. Add $1.00 per tape for shipping. You can contact Oasis at :
Oasis
12448 W. Cleveland Ave.
New Berlin, WI 53151
(414)821-0301
Remember this is my opinion to this music. I try to be as objective as I can. Just because, I may like or dislike the music that is being reviewed, you may have a different opinion. Your dance style and tastes may differ from mine. Please use this as a guideline only.
Until next time...
top
More about Yasmina
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Saturday, January 17th
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filled with her love for dance
and her mission to make a
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For bookings and info:
www.amirasbelly.com
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