Bellylicious

Various Artists (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 4, 2003)
• Original Release Date: 2003
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Narada
• ASIN: B00009WVSX
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #146,268 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Seekinf Advicie from the Expert

2. Inta Omri

3. Sawah [Savag B. Dance Remix]

4. Kariat el Fingan

5. Peace

6. Roots Beat

7. Higher Ground

8. The Zaar Beats [Dub Version]

9. Reflex

10. Chicky

11. Turkish Delight

12. Punjab de Rang (Colours of Punjab)

13. Lagian (Joyful Bhangra Dance)

14. Ja Vidi

15. Indra

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Disjointed as an album, but has some great tracks, November 27, 2004

By 

J Lee Harshbarger (Ypsilanti, MI United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bellylicious (Audio CD)

This compilation album is not as seamless as others I have heard in this genre; the variety of styles is sometimes so disparate that it doesn't flow as well as an album. However, there are some really cool individual tracks on here, and the strength of the individual songs is what made this album one of my favorites of 2003. The song styles range from rather standard instrumental Arabic orchestral tracks to some very inventive electronic dance music.

The album begins with "Seeking Advice From The Expert" by Out Of Phase. This track is similar to the kind of thing you'd hear on a compilation album like Putumayo Records' Arabic Groove, Six Degrees Records' Arabian Travels or Rykodisk's Arabesque: Arabic sounds put over a more Western-style dance beat. The next four tracks on this CD sound like something from an entirely different album--these are the aforementioned standard instrumental Arabic orchestral tracks.

Then, in track 6, "Roots Beat" by Beirut Biloma, there is a dramatic departure to an all-out electronic dance track with an upfront, powerful dance beat and cool sampled vocals, but the track is clearly flavored with Middle Eastern percussion. Next is "Higher Ground" by Oryx, a track that is even more decidedly electronic upfront dance beat, almost techno. This track wouldn't even necessarily be Middle Eastern; this could work in a typical dance club, but the male ethereal vocals do have a Middle Eastern flavor. "The Zaar Beats (Dub Version)" by Spiritual Brothers follows, a track that is just percussion and bass. Then comes "Reflex" by Thunder Of The Swords, which is also instrumental beats but has some added instrumentation, such as saxophone and flute over the beats.

Things wake up with the next track, "Chicky" by Oojami. This has an intense bellydance-style beat, totally Middle Eastern instrumentation and vocals...driving, hot dance music! It comes wrapped with rap in English, but it's still 100% Middle Eastern. The hot dance music continues with the next track, "Turkish Delight" by Harem. It bubbles with sensuality, although it borders on being tacky, as can be imagined by the choice of song title and artist name.

The album switches gears again with the next two tracks with more of an Indian focus: "Colours Of Punjab" by Dhol Foundation and "Lagian (Joyful Bhangra Dance)" by Shabaz, both good dance tunes with great percussion. The first is an instrumental featuring flute with some sitar; the second is slower and heavier with upfront male vocals.

Back to more of a Middle Eastern sound with the next track, "Ja Vidi" by Christophe Goze, an instrumental with a rolling dance bass line, upfront percussion, and various instruments featured in solos. (This track is also on the Arabian Travels 2 compilation.)

The album ends with with "Indra" by Thievery Corporation. The tempo is similar to the previous tune but with an entirely different kind of beat, more of a Western beat and a chillout feel. It's mostly instrumental but is adorned with interesting female vocal riffs.

A variety of music on this album, although somewhat disjointed as an album, creates an interesting listening experience. While Bellylicious may be best used as source material for mix tapes, it's still good enough despite its vast changes of repertoire to be thoroughly enjoyed as an album.

21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Decent.... but not special, May 5, 2004

By 

AmberStef (Tampa, FL United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Bellylicious (Audio CD)

This is another techno/remix CD just like One Thousand and One Nights from Said Mrad however this one is not nearly as good.
This is more like "lounge techno" and less like dance techno.
All the songs are good, but uninspiring. Good to listen to while working or such, but it is not going to make you stand up and dance.
Side note: Friend who is not into belly dance music liked this album better than One Thousand and One nights because it was "less ethnic and more like new age techno".

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bellydance house music, finally!, March 12, 2004

By 

Lisa (Washington, District of Columbia USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bellylicious (Audio CD)

I love this cd and may very well become one of my absolute favorites. I am a true househead and a pro bellydancer and I have been searching for a long time for a good fusion of the two. Well, the search is over, this is it. Tons of fun, Bellylicious can cause me to dance myself into oblivion. This is a good fusion because it is not overly-techno (high-pitched electronic with hyper-speed rhythm) and most of the tracks do not compromise the actual Arabic rhythms. The two worlds blend well so as to not sound like two neighbors blaring totally different radio stations at the same time. I don't like all of the tracks but for me, if I like a third of them on a bellydance cd it's a thumbs up, I'm just that picky about my music. I especially love "Turkish Delight".