Customer Reviews

Acoustic Arabia

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Following up on earlier Putumayo compilations like 'From Cairo to Casablanca,' 'Arabic Groove' and 'Sahara Lounge,' this release focuses on a very different side of Arabic music - the acoustic sounds of the Middle East and North Africa. The CD presents a very nice slice of raw, Arabic music from a variety of contemporary artists, from Lebanon to Morocco. Selections on this wonderful collection range the full gamut from the Sahraoui sounds of Tiris on 'Tiirs Nibreeha' to the Latin piano fusion of Maurice el Medioni on 'Tu n'Aurais Jamais Du.' Naturally, there are a couple of picks from 'oud players (Mousta Largo and Charbel Rouhana). After all, the 'oud is the king of all Arabic instruments, and even those tracks which feature guitar have similar melodies. There is also a track from Zaman's forthcoming debut 'Safar,' providing a good sample of what they sound like. But the real highlights come from some of the women featured on this CD! Algeria's Souad Massi contributes the Andalusian-tinged track 'Ghir Enta,' one of my favorites from her repetoire. Sudanese-born singer Rasha also makes an appearance, as does the Algerian trio Les Orientales. And the CD ends with a bang with 'Wijjak Ma'ii,' a song from Syrian diva Zein al-Jundi's forthcoming second album!

Over all, this is an excellent collection of Arabic music, transcending borders and traditions to present some beautiful acoustic music. While it features some familiar faces here (Maurice el Medioni, Souad Massi, Rasha) it also includes some newer names you may not be so familiar with (Jamal Porto, Zaman, Mousta Largo, Charbel Aouhana & Hani Siblini). Neither entirely traditional nor entirely 'modern,' this is great buy for anyone interested in the music of the Middle East. It is also great for getting a sort of sneak peek at upcoming releases from Zaman, Zein al-Jundi and the like. If you are a fan of hers (like myself) I strongly recommend you buy this album. And if this is your first exposure to the music of the Arabic speaking world, then by all means go out and get some of the albums of artists featured here, like Rasha's 'Sudaniyat,' Souad Massi's 'Deb,' Maurice el Medioni's 'Descargas Oriental,' or Zein al-Jundi's debut 'Traditional Songs of Syria.' Enjoy by all means.

Because I love traditional musics of the world and lament overly produced, electronically processed Euro Pop style in world music [with some exceptions], I regard Putumayo's latest collection as the new middle way, the great hope for a different international musical style. The music is simply wonderful. Richly melodic with strong but not overbearing rhythms, the underlying traditional root music is now fully blossomed with modern instrumentation and arrangements. Particular favorites are the oud track of Charbel Rouhana & Hani Siblini, the Sudanese song of Jamal Porto, and the Palestinian Arab group Zaman's flamenco exploration. With such examples from Syria and Lebanon across North Africa to the Atlantic coast, with Latin flavors of Spain and Cuba, this readily accessible music can be well received in both concert halls and intimate clubs in Sacramento, California, as well as Damascus, Syria. The Acoustic Arabia collection is relaxed, contemplative, and intimate compared to the danceable but less interesting collecton of Putumayo's North African Groove. I welcome this addition to the Putumayo catalog. It is yet another major contribution to our appreciation and understanding of other musics, other cultures.

"Acoustic Arabia" is a softer take on typically techno Middle Eastern music. While people are familiar with the electronica/New Age of Sting collaborating with the Algerian Cheb Mami in Desert Rose / Brand New Day or Natacha Atlas with Trans-global Underground (Best of) "Acoustic Arabia" is an upgraded version of Putumayo's earlier Cairo to Casablanca. "Cairo to Casablanca" had the major weakness of sounding repetitive. This compilation spans jazz, as well as French and Afro-Cuban styles. Like "Cairo to Casablanca",this compilation has the Sudanese diva Rasha as well as Algerian jazz master Maurice El Medouni, but has better songs from them.

"Acoustic Arabia" opens with Jamal Porto's moving "Gamar Badawi." Les Orientales sounds almost Parisian in its invocation of Algiers. Rasha from Sudan sings a sensual song of longing. Charbel Rouhana and Hani Sibilin contribute the instrumental "Mada." Tiris was the result of an American Idol-like competition in Western Sahara. Souad Massi evokes flamenco in "Ghir Enta." Zaman, a group composed of Palestinian Arabs, has been compared to the Gypsy Kings. Mousta Largo sings of the last Arabic King of Granada weeping when Ferdinand and Isabella defeated him in 1491. This songs unites the troubled histories of Europe and the Middle East. Maurice El Medouni brings together Cuban jazz with Algerian sensibilities. Zein Al-Jundi's final song is the passionate "Wijjak Ma'ii."

"Acoustic Arabia" is one of Putumayo's best Middle Eastern compilations, along with ARABIC GROOVE,Israel and SAHARA LOUNGE. They've usually focused on the electric, chilled-out or groovy side of the Middle East. This time, they focus on the earthier, softer side. It evokes not so much the wildness of belly dancing at some casbah, but sitting down to a comforting mint tea in an oasis.

My husband & I were in the Boston Science museum over the holidays, and they had a sample of this in the gift shop. I really dug it. But I got a Holiday CD instead. But I kept thinking how much I dug this music. I'm not of arabic decent so I couldn't say if the music is authentic, but I really like it. I searched Amazon and there it was, they have everything! I really like this!

I love arabic music, but this CD was not exactly what I had hoped for. I had listened to one or two songs on this CD at the tea store Teavana and loved it. I made the mistake of assuming that all the songs were just as good. I like it but not as much as i thought I would. This is a good cd to put on and just use as background music.

Love this product and the seller is super to work with. We'll do more business in the future!

Expected a soothing mid-eastern blend to fill the room with arabian acoustics - it was jarring, rather than soothing - assumed too much when this was recommended to me.