Customer Reviews

Bellylicious

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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".

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".

I just received this CD yesterday. I've already listened to the 2/3 of the tracks, and I can already imagine myself doing a new bellydance performance on a few of these tracks. Finaly someone had the courage to modernise bellydance music. Every time I buy a CD, at the end, there is only 2 enjoyable tracks on 12-15.

Some might not enjoy this CD, especialy bellydancers who prefer the traditional "purest" form of the dance. I wouldn't myself do an entire show performance with such modern bellydance music. Performing on one track during a more traditional show would sure add some punch to the performance. It's a pure delight to dance freely !

I very much enjoy this CD. It has a variety of styles and a nice flow to it.

Get your belly dancing shoes on and get down to this great collection of tunes for a Middle Eastern belly dancing party. There are great tracks on here some are remixed classic Arabic songs others are newer Arabic tunes and some tunes that sound Arabic from the Western World. The only problem I had with this album was the inclusion of Hindi sounding tunes. Nothing against Hindi music I just didn't think it fit with Belly Dancing music. I guess you can make it work though. Anyway I was just kidding about the shoes.

This CD, which has a GORGEOUS cover, is a very playful array of music(which I instantly felt when I opened the case to find a lip print on the CD). Upbeat, it instantly made me shimmy and shake all around the house! Best for when you are just in the mood to dance and want to practice just goofing around.
Some of these tracks I already own on different CDs, such as The R.E.G. Project and Oojami(which seem to be very popular songs in the bellydance world), but I still enjoyed this. It includes 15 tracks, never seems to slow and just put a smile on my face with its "enthusiasm".
While not something that I would say every dancer should own, I do think it is an excellent addition to most any dancer's collection.

The songs themselves would have been awesome had they not been remixed. If you like beefed up techno botched in to what would have been awesome instrumental music, then ok. It had a good variety of stuff: Arabic, Bhangra, Turkish, etc.

I use this CD to teach my up tempo Pilates Classes. It keeps me motivated and the class moving. I love the beat.

A good deal all around...good price, shipped fast, and it's a fun CD. Can't go wrong