Rhythms of the Nile

Hossam Ramzy | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 27, 1998)
• Original Release Date: 2002
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Arc Music
• ASIN: B000001IMH
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #297,822 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #73 in Music > World Music > Africa > Egypt

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars instructional and great at it!, April 5, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Rhythms of the Nile (Audio CD)

This 2 cd set is an introduction to Egyptian dance rhythms (and sounds to an extent). All of the rhythms are in the track listings - so you should check it out. It includes a samaai which is a beautiful and less popular rhythm as well as all of the Egyptian classics. It does not include classic Turkish rhythms like karsilima or chiftitelli. Each track starts with Ramzy's voice explaining the rhythm and the liner notes include a very helpful musical notation version of most of the rhythms.

This is definitely not a cd that you would want to perform to or probably even dance around your house to. The tracks are very repetitive, but that's the point! Ramzy is trying to drum into your head (pun intended) what the rhythms are, and it is sooo important for a dancer to understand them.

I listened to this cd about a million times in preparation for a drum solo performance (of one of his Sabla Tolo songs - another great cd, by the way). The cd is not comprehensive; there are rhythms out there that he does not include - baladi would have been nice. But it is wonderful and useful for dancers and musicians. Don't buy it if you're looking for a fun intro into Middle Eastern music.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Name it right !!, August 6, 2001

By 

SERENE (Singapore) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rhythms of the Nile (Audio CD)

This is essentially an educational CD that introduces the various Middle Eastern percussion instruments and their rhythms to the absolute novice. Even if you are tone deaf, you should at least be able to hear the differences between the Masmoudi and the Malfuf and the Zaar .... and the repetitive nature of the CD merely serves to reinforce the lesson. But even if you don't get it at 1st go, try try again... the penny will drop one fine day!

For those looking for nice "Oriental background music" this is not for you.

For dancers....this is not really suitable for a choreographed show/ piece but it's still good for a workout ...those hip drops, that 3 step malfuf, the zaar moves...plenty to work on there. You could also work on your zill skills here by playing along.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Teaching Source for Middle Eastern Dancers & Musicians, April 12, 2000

By 

Lamus (Monroe, NC USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rhythms of the Nile (Audio CD)

This is a workshop with Egypt's master percussionist Hossam Ramsey. The listener is introduced to basic Arabic instruments, the Tabla, the Mazhar, the Duf, the Reque, the Doholla and the Sagat. Each in turn is played and a short description is given. Mr. Ramsey then explains 6 different rhythms giving an example of each. The recording concludes with a wonderful long piece which gives examples of all the rhythms presented. I love to dance to this piece. The rhythms presented are Masmoudi, Maqsoum, Malfuf, Zaar, Fallahi and Saaidi. There are also accompanying liner notes. This is a great teaching source!