Various Artists - Desert Roses and Arabian Rhythms, Vol. 3

At long last...

I have been searching for this album for a while, and finally found it here at amazon. I really enjoy it, I use it for bellydance. February 19, 2007

great belly dancing music

I love the variety of rhythyms on this cd. We use it for several of our choreographies. I have ordered this item several times because I use it so much. November 7, 2006

Even More Arabian Dance Rhythms

A continuation of the "Desert Roses and Arabian Rhythms", this CD gives us a third dose of Arabic and Middle Eastern dance music infused with western influences. The result is quite enjoyable, and serves as a good introduction to Arabic music. All the usual suspects are here - Hakim, Amina Annabi, Cheb Mami, Nawal al Zoughbi, Andy, Faudel, Zohar, Cheb Nasro, Shani. New faces appear two, like talented Palestinean artist Simon Shaheen, pop singer Woroud, and the techno beats of Turbo Tabla. If you liked the first two CDs in this series, then this one is another good purchase.

So whats the music like? Well, it starts off with Hakim and Cleopatra doing a (quite appropriate) cover of "Walk Like an Egyptian", with Arabic beats. It continues with lots of great Middle Eastern tunes all the way to the end, when we hear a more traditional meditative "Saraab" by Simon Shaheen, one of the greatest names in contemporary Arabic music. Along the way there is a remix of Lebanese pop idol Nawal al Zoughbi, techno-bellydance rhythms from Turbo Tabla, Rai songs from Cheb Nasro and Cheb Mami, an haunting duet between Amina and Zohar, another English pop song from Shani (for those who can't speak Arabic), upbeat Arabic pop from newcomer Woroud, and much more. Everyone on the CD gives a very memorable performance, so if your a fan of Arabic pop this CD will really get you.

It's definately worth the purchase. In fact, if you haven't I'd recommend you go out and get the first two CDs as well. These CDs are great for any bellydancer, Arabic music lover, or just someone who wants to expand their understanding of the world. Sure, plenty of great Arabic musicians are left off this CD (and, in fact, the series focuses mostly on pop and rai, leaving out classical and folk music) but its a good starting place if nothing else. Definately a good purchase. September 2, 2006

"Feel Good" Mix

I stumbled across this browsing at the store and it was definitely a lucky find. The songs are modern, upbeat and fun and there's a nice mix of different styles. Hakim's orchestra's rendition of "Walk Like An Egyptian" converts it into a better beat for bellydancing. Ramses' "Ajaja" has been used by Petite Jamilla for her double veil performance. Amina's "Un Ange En Paix" is stylish and sexy. "Who's The Fairest?" is a fun club tune with a bellydance beat. The other songs range from sensual to more classic middle eastern style, including Turbo Tabla's techno drumming. The compilation is great for both dancing and listening. I like it for driving to work in the morning or cleaning the house as well as for freestyle bellydancing. Whether you are a bellydancer or just a fan of middle eastern/arabic music, you'll enjoy this CD. Highly recommended. April 14, 2006

Exciting and Esensual, The Third Time Around

First of all, I am not a belly dancer, but you don't have to be a belly dancer to reap the benefits of the energy fun, and sensuality, packed into the thirteen tracks on this CD. Several times I have worked out to it on my elliptical, and can assure you that it provides a good hour or so's worth of inspiration to keep you going. While it has a kind mix of pretty quickly paced songs being followed by somewhat slower songs, the music, voices, and influences vary so much, that things never start to drag or become routine.

You have to love Hakim and Irish singer, Carly Hennessy's fun version of, "Walk Like An Egyptian." The old Bangles sort of wiseguy song is both enriched by the addition of traditional instruments and beats, and is also put in its place and expertly tweaked by the singing of Hakim, which is strong and compelling, and is, of course, the real thing. At the end of the song, when he says, "I am Egyptian, come with me," well, you might be inclined, like Marlene Dietrich chasing after Gary Cooper in "Morocco," to throw off your high heels, and follow him into the desert...but instead, you go with the flow of the songs, moving through many moods and musical styles, thus managing to be both a bit familiar, and a lot exotic, and always intriguing.

My favorites, along with, "Walk Like An Egyptian," are, "Un Ange En Paix," by Amina and Zohar, And the last song on the CD, "Saraab," by Simon Shaheen. The Amina/Zohar track has a sensuous, restrained pace...maybe a littel reminiscent of Cesaria Evora.perhaps I have an overactive imagination, and she is just singing about her shopping list, but it sets a shadowy, smokey image for me, full of mystery (well, that is for sure!), and a bit of ennui. The accordion, muffled horns, and techno beats seem pretty simple, but they create a mood, that I don't get tired of experiencing, over and over again. I am looking forward to sampling some CDs by these two artists, with the intention of buying.

Simon Sheehan's song, "Saraab," is very traditional and languid, and calls to mind a wonderful scene from the old Gene Tierney film, "Sundown," where she is walking slowly across the desert, midriff exposed. If it isn't the exact music used in that scene, it is very close to it. The flute, in particular, is beautiful, but the whole track is so wonderfully uncluttered, so minimal, really, and yet it just draws the listener (at least this one!) into the landscape it creates. What a smart way to end this CD! I will definitely be buying a CD by Shaheen, since that one song is not enough for me, and it will be the perfect music for times when an hour or so of absolutely delicious, exotic music, suggesting burning sands, foreign places, and giving yourself over to a totally different pace, is an essential (essensual?) ingredient.

The faster songs, with their many influences (hip hop, reggae, flamenco, to name but a few), all add their fun and energy to the overall winning effect of this third in the Desert Roses series. I enjoy all the Desert Roses CDs,and how they cleverly include one pop hit, with a mainstream artist, on each one; thereby giving you a place to start from, and to be drawn in from, regardless of how unfamiliar you are with Middle Eastern music. The DR CDs are all terrific for my CD changer, when it is set on the shuffle mode, since they make it sound like I have so much more stuff in there, than I really do. They are also a lot of fun to listen to in the car...though they may set the rednecks (urban ones included) to growling!!

Note: If you enjoy this CD, you might like to check out "Cairo to Casablanca," another compilation, with a bit less punch than "Desert Roses 3," but beautiful music and voices, nevertheless. "Moroccan Spirit," is another definite treat, for any fan of Middle Eastern music and ambience. January 31, 2006

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