Desert Roses & Arabian Rhythms II

Various Artists (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 12, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Ark 21
• ASIN: B00005Y23I
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #188,126 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

As on the first Desert Roses & Arabian Rhythms, the ambiance here is dance-oriented and club-friendly, which is at once unsurprising and perfectly authentic. Modern Middle Eastern pop is youth-oriented and notoriously open to intercultural experimentation, but some novelties work better than others. Rachid Taha's percussive, bass-driven "En Retard" is one pick hit, and Cheb Mami's string-driven "Baida" is another. Khaled's "Trigue Lycee," Sabu and Arabian Fantasy's festive "Yala Habibi," and "Albi Htar"--a live track by Ragheb Alama and Faudel--are also worth the price of admission. Oojami's "Instanboogie," which is simply annoying in the living room at high noon, sounds fabulous at 2 a.m. after a few drinks. However, Shani's "Call of the Wild" is trite and cliché-ridden, and "Take Me, I'm Yours" reduces the queenly Tunisian diva Latifa to fatuous rhapsodizing about desert trysts and camels. Ultimately, though, this mixed bag will delight worldbeat techno fans. --Christina Roden

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, accessible Middle Eastern music, February 25, 2002

By 

Shantell Powell "The ShanMonster" (Kitchener, ON, Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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

Desert Roses & Arabian Rhythms 2 is an exceptional compilation of Middle Eastern music with an occidental flare. Each week, I play different music at my introductory belly dance classes, and this CD was a definite favourite for my students. The music is accessible for western ears, yet has enough of the eastern sound to be recognizable as something quite different.

Standout tracks include Rachid Taha's "En Retard" (I love his raunchy-sounding vox and the crunchy and heavy music), Olga Tanon & Hakim's "Ah Ya Albi" (upbeat and fun to dance to), Amina's "Lirrili" (also fun to dance to), and Cheb Mami's soulful "Baida."

If you're looking for an introduction to Middle Eastern pop/dance music, this, and Desert Roses & Arabian Rhythms I, are perfect samplers.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Just the 1st song is worth the price!, December 19, 2002

By A Customer

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

I like this CD. It is not as good as the first version, but the first song (Olga Tanon/Hakim) is incredible! I can't get it out of my head.. I listen to it constantly. Perhaps that's because my Arabic fiance and I met while living in Spain and I find the blend of Arabic and Spanish irresistible...

I would definitely recommend this CD - but if you're new to this style, buy the first version and Arabic Beats. And if you're into world music, I highly recommend Buddha Bar III. It has some great Arabic music (Amr Diab!), some Hindi, Spanish and various other world styles.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome!, June 6, 2002

By A Customer

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

I caught about 2 minutes worth of this CD on an NPR music program, and liked it well enough to order the CD immediately!

I have never really been exposed to music like this, and love it. It is high energy, other worldly music, and very complex - and absolutely perfect for dancing around the house by oneself!

If everyone in the Middle East listened to and enjoyed this music, there couldn't possibly be any problems.

Am now ordering the Volume I version...