Bellydance from Egypt: Gamil Gamal

by Bashir Abdel 'Aal

Overview

Bashir Abdel Al plays the nay, the breathy Middle Eastern flute. On this disc he is backed by drums and occasionally by a quarter-tone accordion capable of playing Arabic music. The rest of the music is filled in entirely by keyboards. Usually the synth imitates strings, and this is innocuous. Sometimes it will set off to create its own sound, like a bad imitation of a xylophone or a harp, and then it is just awful. Some of the tracks are interesting. On the traditional "Raksah Iskandarani," Abdel Al blends his flute with the synthesized strings in a very convincing manner. On the first "Taksim," there is an accordion solo that is nice for listening, but probably not for dancing. This is followed by the more danceable "Baladi" for accordion and drums. The drumming, by the way, is really good on this album, clear and forward-moving without being frenetic. But his album is too cheesy for those favoring the truly authentic and has too many arrhythmic sections for dancers. ~ Kurt Keefner

Product Details

Release Date:	11/25/2008
Label:	Arc Music
UPC:	0743037217828
Rank:	187708

Tracks

1. Gamil Gamal
2. Zinah
3. Shakawah
4. Ta'Ala Oullak
5. Al Haggalah
6. Raksah Iskandarani
7. Taksim / Baladi
8. Taksim / Baladi
9. Baladi
10. Tabla & Percussion Solo
11. Taksim

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Bashir Abdel 'Aal   Primary Artist,Nay
Aly Serour   Primary Artist
Elgamel Alsaghir   Primary Artist

Technical Credits

Farid Al Atrash   Composer
Aly Serour   Composer
Traditional   Composer