Customer Reviews

Highway to Hassake: Folk & Pop Sounds of Syria

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Having been a fan of the SF label's "I remember syria", I was pleased to see this on their ever-expanding menu. This has got to be the the most amazing party music that I've come across since hearing ivo papasov back in '89. the instrumentation is diverse on the label, but it all sounds like microtonal phaser swirl (that's a good thing!). basically, if you want to get your party started "bedouin style", pick this up. hell, knowing the way the "world dance" fad is going, M.I.A. will probably record with mr. souleyman on her next album, and you'll be hearing this stuff at the local club sandwiched between old school egyptian lover and the latest reggaeton banger...

I had been warned - this music takes time to grow on you. So, all the way from Dubai to London on Emirate's A380 Airbus, I had ample time to get acquainted - enough to buy the CD. My absolute favourite tracks are the slow, almost hypnotic Atabat with it's thumping beat. But given time some of the other tracks start to snuggle up close and haunt you. As with much World music (in my opinion), the music is fantastic - until the fat lady starts to sing! Omar Souleyman doesn't swamp the tracks and without him we wouldn't have this gem.I might have enjoyed his music wall to wall more if he hadn't sung but I'm still glad I found him.