Customer Reviews

Alabina

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As a fan of both Arabic and Latin music, this CD and anything else by Alabina are a dream come true. I first heard the song "Alabina" in clubs here in DC and fell in love with it. The title cut (both Arabic and Spanish versions), "Baila Maria," and "Rona" are the best tracks on the CD. I recently travelled to Granada in southern Spain and this album provided the perfect musical backdrop for my travels. It calls to mind an ancient time when the Moors ruled Spain and the Arab and Spanish worlds were inextricably linked. I will never forget my moonlit night atop the Alhambra listening to "De la Noche a la Manana" or exploring the Albayzin with "Lolai" on my Discman. The music is very catchy and danceable -- go to any club playing international music and you're sure to hear Alabina. I can not wait to attend their concert in DC this year. Ishtar and Los Ninos de Sara are a magical combination!

Recipe for Alabina

1) Take a group like Gipsy Kings, with Spanish flamenco guitars and wailing gypsy vocals sung in Spanish.

2) Stir in an equal amount of spicy Middle Eastern flavoring and instruments.

3) Add a hot Arabic-singing vocalist who has taken the name of the tempestuous Sumerian goddess of love, Ishtar, whose vocal stylings are in the same vein as Ofra Haza, except stronger.

4) Play music that is for the most part upbeat, danceable, and exotic.

Makes twelve servings.

The title track, named after the group, embodies what I listed in #4 and is my favorite track, along with the upbeat "Rona" and "Lolai." Note: this latter is not to be confused with "Lolole," which is on Album II. "Alabina" and "Baila Maria" are perfect examples of the fusion of both Spanish and Arabic musical stylings. "Lo Que Tu Dices" is another prime example.

A pattern I notice is for the male vocalist to sing one or two verses in Spanish, with Ishtar coming in later with her Arabic. Three of the songs are divided into their Spanish part and Arabic part. In "Lo Que Tu Dices (Harramt Ahebbak)," the male Spanish part of the song is "Lo Que Tu Dices," while Ishtar sings the "Harramt Ahebbak" part. The other two are "Yo Te Vi (Ah Ya Zein)" and "Lolai (Ya Habibi Ya Eyni)."

Ishtar's soaring, lovely and melodic vocals do indeed invoke the late and great Ofra Haza, but she has a much stronger voice than Ofra. They are shown to great effect in "Baila Maria." And she can hit a high note in "Rona." She does sing in Spanish in the Spanish version of "Alabina," but she's at her best singing in Arabic.

"Rona" and "Yo Te Quiero, Tu Me Quieres" is Gipsy Kings music without any Arabic styles, but they're still good for a spin on the dance floor.

There are some mid-paced tracks like "Linda," "Espero," and "Eshebo" to temper the album.

Alabina is a much-needed antidote to the tedium of standard pop, rock, and disco permeating in the ocean of American mainstream. Back in the mid-80's, that honor went to Miami Sound Machine with its Cuban stylings. In the late 90's, that honor has passed to Alabina.

Arabic Songs in Gypsy Kings' style! It is one of the best releases so far

Hearing only one or two songs from the CD during a dance class, I immediately went out and bought it. Listening to Alabina always makes me feel good and I can't help but dance to it! It's opened me up not only to Arabic music, but to middle eastern culture. Ishtar has one of the most beautiful voices I've ever heard. Being I understand nothing of Spanish or Arabic, at first I had to listen to the different nuances of each song to associate it with its title. It really gave me a greater appreciation for the music, and Arabic music in general. Ishtar has one of the most beautiful voices I've ever heard and I can't wait to get more of their CDs!

most of the comments state that this a mixture of arabic and spanich music, some even say Rai and Flamenco...This is definitely not it! this is pop music with very little artistic or musical inovation, using common scales and harmonies common to both arabic and spanish music. If you think that Gypsy King is flamenco music than you would probably like this CD. It is pretty danceable and appropriate for a night club or a dance class. However, if your musical taste is somewhat more discerning or sophisticated, this CD will rapidly loose its charm. For something a bit more substantial check out Ilham Al Madfai or Radio Tarifa. both these groups draw on the convergence of arabic and spanich music. You might also want t o check the real Rai from the "king of Rai", Khaled ( 1,2,3 soleil,a live performance with a couple other rai singers is especially good)

This album is filled with great energy and vitality. My spirits were instantly lifted and felt transported into some place in Andalucia, Spain and at other times North Africa/Middle East. At times you think you're listening to Gypsy Kings and at other times Fairuz or Mayada El-Henawi. I feel this album is an excellent way to integrate Spain's 700 years of Moorish rule into the present, reflecting the immense wealth of mediterranean influences that make Spain what it is today.

As a fan of Spanish and Arab history, I love to try anything associated with the cultures. I found this in a book store when my 2 year old grabbed the sample headsets and began dancing immediately. I listened and fell in love with the music. It has elements of both Spain (which I can't wait to visit again) and the Arab World (which I would love to visit). I close my eyes and I am there!.

This CD exceeded my expectations, as to the content. I speak Spanish and have studied Arabic. Consequently, I find the use of both languages, sometimes within the same song, to be most pleasing. The selections clearly demonstrate the Arabic roots of Spanish music. The choice of songs is excellent, and the arrangements, both vocal and instrumental, are superb. I have heard a number of the songs before, but had not known the names of the pieces. This circumstance leads to the shortcoming, which denies this CD a five star rating...the lack of discographic notes. Except for the names of the composer, arranger, and musicians/singers, no information is given about any of the songs, or the performers. The information I would like to have seen includes: whether any given song is newly composed, or an arrangement of a traditional melody; country of origin of each selection; time signature of each selection; and duration of each selection (helpful when making tapes to play during Middle Eastern Dance Classes which I teach). Barring this lack, the CD is a delightful, upbeat selection of songs, which I would not hesitate to recommend.

I really love this album. I am of Spanish descent and I married into a Lebanese family so I am familiar with both Spanish and Arabic music. I feel that this album does an excellent job of blending the two styles while keeping them distinct. You can hear the difference between the Spanish sections and the Arabic sections and yet they work together in the same song. I have seen some reviews criticizing the predictability and repetition of the songs in this album...however, Spanish, and especially Arabic, music are repetitious by nature. They place more emphasis on the beat and instrumentals than on the melodies and lyrics. If you love spicy music with a great beat, lots of guitar, and creative instrumentals, you will love this album.

I discovered Alabina quite by coincedence. I recently completed a belly dancing class at my local recreation center. The teacher brought in the CD. I was struck by the perfect blend of Flamenco & Middle Eastern music. I have always loved and owned Flamenco music, but when I heard Alabina, it was even more emotional and passionate. Ishtar's voice can move me to tears. To make a long story short, I'm hooked! I can't get enough! I listen in the car, at work and to dance, dance, dance. If you have an interest in Gypsy music or the dances of the Middle East, you'll love Alabina.