Customer Reviews

Camelspotting

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This CD is wonderful! Nearly every cut is a very dancable piece. Plus there are translations of the songs inside, so you know what you're dancing to. I just can't be still when I'm playing this one.

If your looking for a great compulation of Egyptian pop music, this is the CD for you. This CD features sme good songs by some of the big names of Arabic pop music. My personal favorite on this album is Hamid el-Shaeri's "Tohgorny", but I also enjoyed Dania's "Yalla Ya Habibi", Walid Tawfic's "Acha'ak Azab" and the lyrics to Amr Diab's "Nour el-Ein". However, all of the songs on this CD are excellent. Most of them are somewhat more ephemeral, but at the same time hypnotic and dancey. The only way I can describe it is if you've heard Cairo pop music before. And if you haven't, then buy this CD now so you'll know what I'm talking about :-). And, even if you don't speak Arabic (or don't speak Arabic fluently), theres a little booklet with translations of the songs included.
Oh, and one word of warning, following up on what one reviewer already said. Don't buy this CD expecting Rai. Rai is exlusively a North African/French phenomena (mainly Algerian and Moroccan). This CD deals with Middle Eastern Pop Music (which, incidently, is primarily Egyptian/Cairene). Comparing the two is like comparing American Rock music to Rap. They are two completly different generes.

If you've been anywhere in the Muslim world in recent years, you've at least heard the Lebanese dance floor anthem "Habibi." If you haven't, you'll want to after listening.

One winter, I worked in Vermont after having spent several months in Morocco. Blaring this CD from my speakers drove away the snow, the mud, and the biting wind.

It might not be the ONLY good Arabic music compilation out there. It might try to cover too much territory on one CD. But it's certainly fun.

Enjoyable selection of new artists for Arabic music fans. Many danceable pieces in the 2-5 minute range. Also fun for listening.

This is a great middle eastern cd. Even if you dont understand the lanaguage it has a great sound and feel to most of the songs. I highly recommend this cd to anyone who likes middle eastern music.

The bonus is that the English Translations are on the inside cover of this CD...so you will know what they are singing about.

I really enjoyed this CD because it has a very rich sound to it. I did not get frustrated with instruments that sounded like they didn't belong to the music--all of the peices are well put together. It is, indeed, very hard to sit still in on this one. It is also wonderful for uplifting your mood!

For those that don't know Rai music has a modern sound to it along with Middle Eastern 'flairs'. It started in France and is now played in dance clubs over Europe. Some of the songs also have a strong Latin or Spanish overlay to them, making a wonderful fussion. Perfect for the club dancer who is tired of the 'same old thing'.

This album is highly rated on my Launch Radio Station. I love Amr Diab, and introducing me to the other artists will only help increase my world music collection.

This music feels just like where it's from, as it should -- not watered-down western pop but upbeat pop music from what really are other cultures with different traditions from my own in the United States. Very fun music. The only thing is the bands are all so uninventive. They all sound the same. But that doesn't stop this from being a cd with music that stays in your head.

It's simple...I LOVE this CD...start to finish. I totally agree with the reviewer that said you can't help moving to this! I recently played it at a family picnic. No one ther had ever heard this kind of music. Within minutes EVERYONE was dancing to it! Kids, Grandmas, Uncles, even someone with Alzheimer's who almost never moves at all...well, you get the idea! All this took place in a back-yard in Boston...pretty compelling album, I'd say! :>)

This is a great Arabic CD and it contains beatiful songs However, It is not rai. None of the singers are from North Africa(Algeria, Morroccow, Tunis). If you want to listen to rai music listen to Cheb Mami, KHaled, Or Hasni and you will see the difference(huge by the way). One last thing, the previous reviewer mentioned that Rai originated in France, Wrong, it was originated in Algeria,Oran but when civil war broke out in algeria in the early Ninties, many rai artists were killed by the islamic fundamentalists (including the great cheb Hasni). Thats why many rai singers relocated to France.