Customer Reviews

Mystical Garden

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a truly amazing CD: nary a boring or un-original track in the whole bunch. There's a lot of variety, from the raucous "Shaskin" (the zurna, the featured instrument, is typically played at large outdoor events) to the beautiful, flowing "Hasret" (which always compels me to pick up a veil and start improvising), Keane's lovely "Magic of the Evening," and the mystical final piece. The musicians are all terrific -- listen for the kanun player, who's a genius, although I'm also quite taken with the percussion solos. The whole album is highly listenable if you're not a dancer (although I wouldn't call it "background music"; you DO have to pay attention!). And if you're a dancer, don't put it on unless you've got an hour free. My Middle Eastern dance teacher had a party at her studio. We've been learning a choreography to "Shaskin," so we ran through that. Then someone started the CD again from the beginning -- and, the whole 66:19 minutes later, we realized that we were STILL dancing!

A most pleasing and soothing collection of musical pieces which captures the sometimes elusive, but sensuous, Islamic aesthetic.

I had doubts before buying it. Thought it was not what I was looking for and hoped that it doesn't come out to be boring. Some intrumental turkish songs, eventhough beutiful, do really bore you after a while. But this is really cool! I liked 2nd track and #10 and others too. I am now a fan of Omar Tekbilek:)

Beautiful, soothing music. Track 4, Shashkin, is excellent for belly dancers (beginners, even!). Eastern rhythms combined with not too much new age synthesizers produce absolutely sublime listening music.

If you have been looking for an Arabesque addition to your collection, this is a good place to start. This CD contains much in the way of regional pieces steeped in spirituality and folklore from the composers native Turkey, as well as influences from the surrounding region. There are songs that are meditative, as well as those that make you want to dance around a fire in the desert, 'Shashkin" being the best of these. The compser's been around for quite a while. the other instrument players are highly regarded, and all can open doors for you into the staggeringly diverse world of music from the Middle East.

I really enjoy Omar Tekbilek's various musical endeavors, and this one is no exception. For dancing, it's set up a little differently, as in mostly very slow, dreamlike pieces which would be good for slow floor work. The three faster pieces seem sort of out of place on this particular album, but can be used for dance, although the 'Laz' (a 7/8 rhythm) is very tricky to dance to, the other two being easier; a malfuf and a saiidi rhythm. Very usable, but for two very different moods.

Omar Faruk is brimming with talent in composing unusually pleasing traditional Arabic recitations intertwined in modern vibrations.

This record is one of his masterpieces with the Kalema as its best part--though rather short. I hope he makes more of such Qur'anic pieces.

-Abro.

mystical garden transports me to another place, another time, rekindles my imagination, and makes me want to and dance ...

mystical garden transports me to another place, another time, rekindles my imagination, and makes me want to and dance ...

must hav