Desert Roses and Arabian Rhythms

Various Artists (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 20, 2001)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Ark 21
• ASIN: B00005A8LX
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #14,819 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #3 in Music > World Music > Africa > Algeria
  • #3 in Music > World Music > Africa > Egypt
  • #6 in Music > World Music > Middle East > Arabic

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

48 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars BUY THIS CD NOW!, March 5, 2002

By 

Zekeriyah (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Desert Roses and Arabian Rhythms (Audio CD)

This CD is perhaps the most beautiful and accessable CD of Middle Eastern music available in the west. I first heard this CD while with one of my Arabic friends, and I fell in love with it instantly. This CD covers a variety of styles, ranging from world fusion to Egyptian pop to Algerian Rai and almost everything in between. The name of this CD comes from the song "Desert Rose", which features Sting with Cheb Mami. A particularly haunting remix of this song is featured on this CD.
There is a definate slant towards Rai on this CD. Aside from Cheb Mami, this CD also features superb selections from such legendary names as Khaled (THE King of Rai), Faudel, Rachid Taha, and another track from Cheb Mami. Theres also another western fusion, from Soraya, which I found to be particularly beautiful and moving.
This CD also features two songs from two of the greatest female musicians of all time: Natacha Atlas' "Mon Amie La Rose" and Amina's "Dis Moi Pourquoi". Both of these women possess hauntingly beautiful voices, and both give excellent performances on this CD. Theres also an excellent song from the Trans-Global Underground.
Rounding out this CD are some excellent selections of Arab Pop music. Hakim's "Esma Yalli" was particularly good, and prompted me to go out and buy his newest CD. Latifa's "Inchallah" was also very good. The other songs ("Chie Begam" by Andy, and "La Titnahad" by Kazem al Saher), were also very good. Over all, all of the songs on this CD are worth listening to repeatedly. This is such a great CD that I can't recommend it enough. Just go out and buy it, then buy the sequel.

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Modern World Grooves, September 25, 2002

By 

Clarissa "MoonGoddess" (Ontario, California) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Desert Roses and Arabian Rhythms (Audio CD)

After taking one glance at the tracklisting (Natacha Atlas, Amina, Rachid Taha) I knew that this was an album worth listening to. I've always been a fan of world music but never quite knew where to start. Now that I actually have Desert Roses & Arabian Rhythms, however, there are a dozen albums that I long to obtain... Some of which are featured here on this incredible compilation, which is an excellent source for beginner world listeners like myself. And while this vibrant collection has no duds, standout tracks include Khaled's "Aalach Tloumouni", which has swooping Egyptian strings that frame an unmistakable Rai rhythm, and the sexy Middle Eastern "I'm Yours" by Colombian singer Soraya. And though I probably would have preferred "En Retard", "Qalantiqa" is yet another amazing experience by the global Rachid Taha. What actually pushed me to buy this album, however, was Transglobal Underground for I'd previously heard their song "Pomegranates" before on a local world station. I instantly became intrigued by this band for their thrilling fusion of ethno-techno beats with African singing and Arabian musical stylings. Natacha Atlas apparently used to sing with Transglobal Underground so I also had to buy this for "Mon Amie La Rose", which is a great Egyptian dance tune. One of my favorite tracks, though, is the modern French song by Amina: "Dis Moi Pourqoui", which is set to Western pop music. I also like Cheb Mami's "Hay Wadi Hay Galbi", whom also happens to guest sing on the melodic club mix of Sting's "Desert Rose".

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Too western, April 25, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Desert Roses and Arabian Rhythms (Audio CD)

This is a decent intro to the music of the Middle East and the Maghreb in that it incorporates a variety of styles, but I think the Putomayo CDs are better and less commercialized. I'd recommend those to anyone interested in arabic music.