Putumayo Presents: Acoustic Arabia

Various Artists (Artist)

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 2, 2008)
• Original Release Date: September 2, 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Putumayo World Music
• ASIN: B001BTWF0W
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #33,294 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  Music > World Music > Middle East

Track Listings

1. Gamar Badawi - RRS

2. Alger, Alger - Les Orientales

3. Azara Alhai - Rasha

4. Mada - Charbel Rouhana and Hani Siblini

5. Tiris Mibreeha - Tiris

6. Ghir Enta - Souad Massi

7. Batalti Eli - Zaman

8. Les Larmes de Boabdil - Mousta Largo

9. Tu n'aurais jamais du - Maurice El Medioni

10. Wijjak Ma'ii - Zein Al-Jundi

Editorial Reviews

About the Artist

Putumayo World Music was established in 1993 to introduce people to the music of the world's cultures. The label grew out of Putumayo clothing company, founded by Dan Storper in 1975 and sold in 1997. Co-founder Michael Kraus joined Dan to launch Putumayo World Music and establish a non-traditional sales division. Putumayo World Music has become known primarily for its upbeat and melodic compilations of great international music characterized by the company's motto: "guaranteed to make you feel good!" Putumayo's CD covers feature the distinctive art of Nicola Heindl, whose colorful, folkloric style represents one of Putumayo's goals: to connect the traditional to the contemporary. By combining appealing music and visuals with creative retail marketing, Putumayo has developed a unique brand identity - a rarity in today's artist-based music industry

Product Description

On previous collections, Putumayo has explored upbeat Arabic pop and dance music (Arabic Groove and North African Groove) and laid-back Arabic electronica (Sahara Lounge). With Acoustic Arabia, Putumayo turns its attention to the more organic, traditional styles that are the foundation of these musical genres. With their stripped-down arrangements and softer, more introspective quality, the songs on Acoustic Arabia highlight the fundamental beauty of the music of the Middle East and North Africa. This collection features an intriguing roster of artists, including several international stars and exciting new discoveries. Each musician has a fascinating life story that brings added depth to their music. One of the best-known featured artists is Algerian singer-songwriter Souad Massi, whose contemplative songs address social and political issues and were banned by the conservative government. Maurice El Medioni, a world-renowned Jewish piano legend from Oran, Algeria first began performing alongside Arab musicians during the golden age of the Algerian music halls of the 1940s and 50s, and is still tickling the ivories as an octogenarian. The band Tiris hails from Western Sahara and is made up of refugees who have been part of the struggle to reclaim their homeland from Morocco which now controls the region. The gentle emotion and entrancing melodies of the songs featured on Acoustic Arabia will help listeners deepen their appreciation for the rich music of this part of the world. A portion of Putumayo's proceeds from the sale of this CD will be donated to the Sa¿d Foundation in support of its efforts to bring positive and lasting change to the lives of children and young people in the Middle East.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Raw, Passionate Arabian Soul, September 4, 2008

By	Zekeriyah (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

Following up on earlier Putumayo compilations like 'From Cairo to Casablanca,' 'Arabic Groove' and 'Sahara Lounge,' this release focuses on a very different side of Arabic music - the acoustic sounds of the Middle East and North Africa. The CD presents a very nice slice of raw, Arabic music from a variety of contemporary artists, from Lebanon to Morocco. Selections on this wonderful collection range the full gamut from the Sahraoui sounds of Tiris on 'Tiirs Nibreeha' to the Latin piano fusion of Maurice el Medioni on 'Tu n'Aurais Jamais Du.' Naturally, there are a couple of picks from 'oud players (Mousta Largo and Charbel Rouhana). After all, the 'oud is the king of all Arabic instruments, and even those tracks which feature guitar have similar melodies. There is also a track from Zaman's forthcoming debut 'Safar,' providing a good sample of what they sound like. But the real highlights come from some of the women featured on this CD! Algeria's Souad Massi contributes the Andalusian-tinged track 'Ghir Enta,' one of my favorites from her repetoire. Sudanese-born singer Rasha also makes an appearance, as does the Algerian trio Les Orientales. And the CD ends with a bang with 'Wijjak Ma'ii,' a song from Syrian diva Zein al-Jundi's forthcoming second album!

Over all, this is an excellent collection of Arabic music, transcending borders and traditions to present some beautiful acoustic music. While it features some familiar faces here (Maurice el Medioni, Souad Massi, Rasha) it also includes some newer names you may not be so familiar with (Jamal Porto, Zaman, Mousta Largo, Charbel Aouhana & Hani Siblini). Neither entirely traditional nor entirely 'modern,' this is great buy for anyone interested in the music of the Middle East. It is also great for getting a sort of sneak peek at upcoming releases from Zaman, Zein al-Jundi and the like. If you are a fan of hers (like myself) I strongly recommend you buy this album. And if this is your first exposure to the music of the Arabic speaking world, then by all means go out and get some of the albums of artists featured here, like Rasha's 'Sudaniyat,' Souad Massi's 'Deb,' Maurice el Medioni's 'Descargas Oriental,' or Zein al-Jundi's debut 'Traditional Songs of Syria.' Enjoy by all means.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Common Ground: Music for Modern Times, September 8, 2008

By	Dr. Debra Jan Bibel "World Music Explorer" (Oakland, CA USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

Because I love traditional musics of the world and lament overly produced, electronically processed Euro Pop style in world music [with some exceptions], I regard Putumayo's latest collection as the new middle way, the great hope for a different international musical style. The music is simply wonderful. Richly melodic with strong but not overbearing rhythms, the underlying traditional root music is now fully blossomed with modern instrumentation and arrangements. Particular favorites are the oud track of Charbel Rouhana & Hani Siblini, the Sudanese song of Jamal Porto, and the Palestinian Arab group Zaman's flamenco exploration. With such examples from Syria and Lebanon across North Africa to the Atlantic coast, with Latin flavors of Spain and Cuba, this readily accessible music can be well received in both concert halls and intimate clubs in Sacramento, California, as well as Damascus, Syria. The Acoustic Arabia collection is relaxed, contemplative, and intimate compared to the danceable but less interesting collecton of Putumayo's North African Groove. I welcome this addition to the Putumayo catalog. It is yet another major contribution to our appreciation and understanding of other musics, other cultures.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Oasis in a Musical Desert, September 18, 2008

By	Amaranth "music fan" (Northern California) - See all my reviews

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"Acoustic Arabia" is the perfect music for a cold night. The warm tones of the Middle Eastern desert are soothing. Many of the songs have a Spanish or French flavor, making spicy, delicious jazz fusion.

The opening song,Jamal Porto's "Gamar Badawi",blends Sudanese folk with a Latin sensibility. Les Orientales sound like they're singing in a swank Parisian jazz club when they passionately sing an ode to Algiers. Sudanese diva Rasha's "Azara Alhai",is a sensual breakup song. Charbel Rouhana&Hani Siblini,as well as Maurice El Medouni,provide some variety with their instrumental "Mada" and "Tu n'aurais jamais du." The group Tiris,based in Western Sahara,won an American Idol-like competition in a refugee camp. Their powerful "Tiris Nibreeha" is the acoustic,primal equivalent to the electrifying Malian group Tinariwen. It's rich North African blues in honor of their homeland,Tiris. Souad Massi,has desert chanson with her "Ghir Enta." Mousta Largo's "Les Larmes De Boabdil" is a flamenco-flavored song about the last King of Granada as he left Spain in 1491.

"Acoustic Arabia" is a richly sensual compilation. It also goes to a good cause. 1% of the profits goes to the Said Foundation in helping young people in the Middle East. "Acoustic Arabia" is the Middle East unplugged. It's a sonic oasis in the musical desert.