Modern Bellydance from Lebanon

by Modern Bellydance From Lebanon

Overview

This album is a mixture of the traditional and the modern, the Middle Eastern and the Western. As such, it almost defines contemporary belly dance, a form which has become a creature of the media, rather than the folk music it was originally danced to. Still, the results are OK. The track "Ma'zoufat al Moulouk" is heavy on the synths, but also heavy on the drama. The percussion, by Mohammed Gouda, is never cheesy. The instruments, such as the accordion and sax from the West, and the kanoun and santour from the Middle East, add to the atmosphere. One wishes they were used more. Emad Sayyah sings on about half the tracks; he has a good and pleasant voice. Sometimes the proceedings descend into the ridiculous, as on "Khasr'l Harir," which has goofy timbres and strange sound affects reminiscent of the theme from the original Addams Family. As today's belly dance music goes, this disc is definitely above average -- which isn't saying all that much. ~ Kurt Keefner

Product Details

Release Date:	04/22/2003
Label:	Arc Music
UPC:	0743037179621
Rank:	209814

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Amira   Primary Artist

Technical Credits

Diz Heller   Liner Notes,Mastering
Andre Elbing   Cover Photo
Barbara Papadopoulos   Typesetting,Layout Design
Jesse Reuben Wilson   Cover Design