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16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Forget the Gipsy Kings...., April 3, 2000
This review is from: The Album II (Audio CD)
Real flamenco music? The Gypsy kings? NO! Alabina and Los Ninos de Sara. They are unbelievable good. I first saw them live in L.A. two years ago and then I went and bought their CD. Alabina's voice is incredible, and the fact that I don't understand one word in arabic It makes my point stronger. There are not languague barriers when music is that good. Plus, every song is so energetic that it's completely anti-bad-mood. Alabina and Los Ninos de Sara are coming this summer to L.A. and I already got my tickets.I can't wait to spend two hours listening to this great mix of flamenco, arabic, & latin music.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Never as the good as the first time? Not with Alabina!, February 3, 2002
This review is from: The Album II (Audio CD)
After an unqualified success like their eponymous album, is a second helping worth it? Well, yes! The opening track, "Salma Ya Salama" shows that they haven't lost their gypsy/Arabic fusion style or touch. And if Miami Sound Machine retained or expanded their Cuban stylings instead of making a kamikaze dive towards mainstream pop and emphasizing Gloria Estefan's name, they would have given American pop a much needed shot of international flavor. There is a slight veering towards pop in the ballad "Me Encuentro En Tu Desierto (Sahara)." Ishtar sings some verses in English here. It sounds like something Ofra Haza might have done in Kirya. "Azima Leyla" is one song where Ishtar's vocals come first, and when she sings for an extended period, one can appreciate the vitality of her vocals. "Lolole (Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood)" is a cover of the Santa Esmeralda disco song "Please Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood." It's the other track where Ishtar sings in English. This doesn't get overly pop like its original counterpart--in other words, there's enough Alabina flavoring to prevent it from being a carbon copy of its progenitor. If she ever breaks into the English-language market like Shakira, I'm worried that the Americans, spoonfed with comfortable mainstream sounds, won't accept her. The truth is, Ishtar can sing rings around Mariah, Celine, Britney, and Christina. The real booty shaker here is "Somos Gitanos" complete with horns. This song is like a party in high gear and is alone worth getting this album. Ishtar's absent from this song and it shows that Alabina does not fall into the trap of "It's-all-about-the-lead-singer" Syndrome. Ishtar gets her solo bit in the ballad "Shir Ha'Keshet (The Rainbow Song)", adapted from Concerto D'Aranjuez. It's a cousin of "En Aranjuez Con Tu Amor" on Sarah Brightman's Time To Say Goodbye. Her voice really reminds me of Ofra Haza here. Another of the album's great moments. The "Alabina Megamix" contains excerpts of "Alabina," and "Lolai," and the original version of "Baila Maria." There seems to be no difference in the new version here compared to the original, except for the backing vocals in certain places. Symmetry plays a part in this album. The last two songs are the first two songs (albeit different versions) in reverse order. Personally, I prefer the Arabic version of "Salma Ya Salama" to the Spanish version. With the ballads and only the slightest glance towards pop, Album II succeeds in not being a complete rehash of the first album. It's still worth its weight in spice and stands head and shoulders over any American mainstream slop artists.
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9 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
A Disappointment - Get the Original Alabina!, December 13, 2000
This review is from: The Album II (Audio CD)
Alabina is a truly amazing group. Alabina has revealed to me a world of Arabic/Middle Eastern/Egyptian music, and I absolutely love it. They're a great introduction to this type of international music - it's out there but it isn't always so readily accessible. BUT... ...Alabina II is a disappointment when compared to Alabina. Alabina II seems to be a bunch of recycled songs and sounds off of the first Alabina. Don't get me wrong, I love them, but I definitely think they could have been more innovative with this CD. With their talent I don't understand why they're always putting the same tracks and/or remixes on each of their CDs. I suggest that if you're a real big fan of Alabina you get this for the truly great tracks on this CD. If you're new to them get the first Alabina. A few songs stand out, though they're just not enough to keep this in the CD player for long. Most of them are good, but they don't seem to stand on their own. Rather than command your attention, they fade into the background... You definitely don't want study music from Alabina! The great tracks on this CD are Azima Leyla - Takes you back to the first Alabina without sounding recycled. Lolole (Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood) - Takes some getting used to. Shir Ha'Keshet (The Rainbow Song) - A slow, beautiful song that puts Ishtar's voice at the forefront. Ya Mama Ya Mama (Salsa Version) - Although it's a bit repetitive, it's catchy. And ironically enough... Alabina Megamix - Pieces of songs from Alabina. Baila Maria (New Version) - Remix of Baila Maria, from Alabina which is one of their best songs. And one more note on... "Me Encuentro En Tu Desierto (Sahara)" which has such potential... It starts out like a dream. But then Ishtar starts singing. The lyrics in some parts are pretty bad. It gets good many times, only to go irritatingly downhill again. Thankfully for you, the end of my rant... hehe.
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