Arabica

Various Artists (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 22, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Bar De Lune Boxes
• ASIN: B00005UDXZ
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #290,952 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Ya Rayah - Rachid Taha

2. Pomegranate - Transglobal Underground

3. First Transmission - Al-Pha-X

4. The Calling - Pressure Drop

5. Caravane - Radar

6. Desert Dancer (Zeb's Slow Camel Ride Remix) - Nickodemus

7. Cairo Bar - Digital Bled

8. Ehad - Zohar

9. Shashkin - Omar Faruk Tekbilek

10. Nouar - Cheikha Rimitti

11. Just You & I - DZihan & Kamien

12. Tiziri (Mandalay Remix) - Djamal Allam

13. Didi (Didi Funk Club Remix) - Khaled

14. Keep On - Christophe Goze

Editorial Reviews

From the trendy bars of Paris to the cosmopolitan bars of Cairo, Arabic music is experiencing a transformation. In France Arabic music is firmly established with Khaled having a recent number 1 hit. Arabic music is heard everywhere from trendy bars to cool boutiques where it evokes exotic images. Tranglobal Underground in Britain have helped this style of music become cutting edge and it is now an accepted part of any self-respecting DJ’s set. Cheb Mami featured on Stings Desert Rose album –the vibe is relentlessly growing in the USA as well. Arabic artists these days fuse their traditional Arabic vocals with western music styles. You don’t have to know what they are singing about-just soak up the exotic atmosphere and let the music take you. “Arabica” is an exotic and colourful blend of North African-influenced music, a mix of traditional styles with modern production techniques. It’s a fine introduction to the Middle East grooves, bringing together artists who share a passion for Arabic sounds. From the opening, a sensual and exotic feel rules the album, with Rachid Taha wonderful hit “Ya Rayah”, an uplifting track you can’t resist. From there on, we get a stunning collection of tunes, from veterans Cheb Mami “Marseillais du Nord”, Khaled’s remix of Didi to the new emerging breed of artists, the ambient vibe of Zohar’s Ehar”, a visit to the “Cairo bar” of Parisian Digital Bled and ALFA X’s stylish track “First Transmission”. Add more spices with the like of Radar, Nickodemus, the funky Dzihan & Kamien “Just you & I” and you have, with this excellent compilation, the perfect soundtrack for your trip around the grooves of Arabic music. This is a North African voyage in to sound.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Don't get 'anthology'.Volume 1 is where the heart is., February 4, 2004

By 

Ulven (australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Arabica (Audio CD)

As with many series's, Volume 1 is the best.Only if you give this one 5 stars would it be worth getting the other two in the series.I feel that for the following 2 volumes, they ran out of 'fully arabic flavour' tunes, and they compiled and sold them purely because of the success of this one (which doesn't mean they're not good dance music.Just that they're not Arabic enough to justify the package and title).This one has more usage of the arabic scales.The other two aren't quite as distinctive.There's actually an anthology, but a "3 cd series" has no place putting out a "greatest hits" cd.That's just money-grabbing, especially considering that the best tracks (as far as 'Arabic flavouring' is concerned)are on this volume 1 cd anyway.If you buy the 'anthology', and you like it enough to buy all the 3 volume series, it means you bought the 'anthology' for nothing.Definitely start here at "vol.1".It is considerably the best in the series at the Arabic-ness.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you like tablas and other middle eastern beats, get it, February 5, 2002

By 

"mikeharper" (san francisco, ca United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Arabica (Audio CD)

an excellent exposition of where downtempo is heading. chugging and sultry beats keep it driving and keep you moving, but subtle enough to chill to. song composition is excellent, unlike most albums released simply because the style is the "new thing." solid throughout. RIYL: dubbed out in dc - or anything else on 18th Street Lounge records (thunderball, thievery) - talvin singh, untouchable outcaste beats, state of bengal...