Customer Reviews

Hookah Cafe

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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This is a compilation of East-West fusion, exotic without being too unfamiliar. It's reminiscent of the Café Del Mar series, but more worldy, rather like the work Australian Michael Askill did with Omar Faruk Tekbilek, where the sounds of traditional and western instruments highlighted by some serious percussion create beautiful effects and spine-tingling excitement. From the rich sensuous voices of Greece's Kristi Stassinopolou and India's Najma to the tasteful desert evocations created by Egyptian stars Hamza El Din and Hossam Ramzy or Palestine's Simon Shaheen, from the industrial creation of India's Jai Uttal to the mellow jazzy meanderings of Senegal's Steve Shehan and Youssef el Idrissi, the range of sound tapestries presented here make for interesting discovery. Yet despite the variety of sources, there is, as the title of the album suggests, a consistent atmosphere here of alluring mysticism that's hugely attractive, helped along by high quality recordings and productions. Nicely presented but without sleeve notes, an above average world fusion compilation.

Want to hear exotic music from Marrakech, Istanbul and Cairo? Then this CD might be up your alley. It delivers a good mix of dufferent styles and artists from Africa, the Middle East and India that everyone can enjoy, even if you aren't particularly knowledgable about it. On this CD you get skillful 'ud playing from the Nubian Hamza el-Din, haunting melismatic vocals by Azam Ali of Vas and Indian singer Najma, a New Age duet with belly dance master Hossam Ramzy and Phil Thornton, Palestinean dance music from Simon Shaheen, Jewish ethno-techno from Zohar, Greek pop music from Kristi Stassinopoulou, ambient Moroccan trance music and so much more. This isn't neccessarily traditional music, nor is it some sort of in-depth look at Middle Eastern music, but its good listening. And besides, how often do you get to hear Palestinean, Sudanese, Moroccan, Indian, Persian, Israeli and Greek music side-by-side? Think of it more as a journey of the mind. In that regard, its a great compilation, and well worth the purchase.

I caught a wave with Dick Dale on a ride for the source of surf music. I've gone down some strange alleys along the way and have stumbled upon an exotic world of soft beats and cool wailing in a mist other-worldly instruments. I think we're on the right track.

No more words are necessary - just buy it!