Various Artists - Bellydance Superstars 1 (16 tracks) +Album Reviews

Lively Music for Dance Performance and Practice

Juana | Baltimore, MD United States | 07/30/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Hi,

I've been belly dancing for about three years, and I have had a couple of performances.

I really enjoy this CD. The songs are fast paced and fun to dance, to. Probably because they have a simpler composition than some of the more old-fashioned music that I have heard.

If you are fit, and a reasonably good dancer, you will find these songs very peppy and fun to perform to--both for yourself and the audience.

The only shortcoming is that since most of the songs have so much percussion, they might tempt the dancer to slack off on the graceful upper body movements that make a good dance a great one.

I recommend this album for:

Working Out - Good accompaniment for a class or a private belly dance practice.

Performance - These popular, catchy songs (ok, they're kind of old now :)) can add perk to your routine if you are fit and have a high enough energy to do them justice.

I enjoy this album, and recommend it for any dancer."

Whatever on many of you

ioana1 | Toronto, Ontario Canada | 12/21/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Let's see.. the title of this album, "bellydance superstars". That's debatable, and of course it depends on the style that you prefer. I have a different list of superstars every year, it always changes, and the superstars on this album definitely are of the American style rather than, well, Egyptian, or Turkish, or whatever, but one thing nobody can take away from them - they're amazing dancers, most, and they have great following in the western world. The music . When I buy a compilation CD, it is because I want to be exposed to different types of music that I haven't heard yet, and this CD definitely delivers. I was already a fan of Hakim (for review's sake - pop Egyptian, the "Lion of Egypt", very danceable and fun - will get the audience dancing in your shows), Amr Diab - another pop artist that's very popular, Warda (sophisticated, lovely music - especially the track chosen - Bitwanees Beek - which is a must for your collection), with Mohammed Abdel Wahab - one of the classics of Arabic music... etc etc. [ Actually, reading some of the reviews by some self-professed knowitalls "real arab women" who gave this album 0 stars - how could you??! Warda, Abdel Wahab, and Hakim are not pleasing to you?! Then what is? ]Other songs include :
Sahra Saidi - a high-energy drum solo that sounded very familiar to me, definitely great to show off your isolations. Ice Queen - I haven't heard this one before, it is interesting, it is an entrance song, extremly high energy, definitely not traditional but it keeps the traditional format of the intro songs (including the break of beledi in the middle and then the taksim). I've used it successfully (I think) in a more theatrical setting where I wanted to grab the audience from the beginning . Like putting on a serious face before letting them in the joke :) Raks Africa - the opening song, not my favorite for bellydance, but it was interesting, maybe later I'll change my mind. Chicky - hah. Very funny song. Actual lyrics: "Listen to the chickichika boom boom". It's good to have this one on hand if one day I feel very, VERY silly. Or maybe not. One fault I find with this CD - for my own sake - it is that it's not experimental enough - it didn't have enough songs that I didn't know. If you've been dancing for a while, you already know most of the songs. Should have paid more attention to the list... cheers,
ioana"

Starlights from ancient sky !

Paris Huang | Washington, DC United States | 07/30/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I had this CD for a long time, I listened to it occacionly for it is tryly attractive to ears. But since I went to the performance of Bellydance Superstars last night, I couldn't take it out of my CD player !!
Everysong now has the image of the bellydancer who danced with the title she selected in the album. And now I can understand why they are chooising these songs -- for different dancer has her personal charicteristic. Some are wild and passionate, some are smooth and lovely. For example, Sonia's seclections are sexy because she is very sexy and cute while she dances. Ansuya's selections are wild for she always performs as a wild and suductive lioness. This complication is invicible !!The only pity is the music that the newly joined Bellydancer Rachel Brice perfromed were not in this album for she just join the group this year. Her style is different, tranquil, meditative while mix tranditional bellydance with her fasicinating hand-tambourine playing. I hope her music selection will appear in the next album of Bellydance Superstars -- there should be have must be !!"

Something For All Levels

Parthena Black | Oklahoma | 12/04/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"While I own tons of drumming CD's suitable for bellydance, when I finally moved from videos to taking professional bellydance classes I wanted some "real" bellydance music for practice at home. Out here in the boonies, this was one of three CD's that the store had in stock.

When I played the first track I was a little taken aback. It has lyrics! My instructor mainly uses instrumentals, so I was surprised but after just one listen to the whole CD, I was very pleased with my choice. I wasn't that familiar with Middle Eastern music and find that I love it. I actually listen to it in the car and it gets me and my static duster moving around the house!

The sixteen tracks on this CD offer a variety of beats and arrangements to suit any skill level or preference - and the songs are beautiful and upbeat. My top favorites are Shereen's "Ah Ya Leil" - she sings with such emotion! - and Oojami's "Chicky." My 22 year old son loves "Chicky" and thinks that it would be a great hit in the clubs with its great dance beat and hip-hop lyric style. There are also two wonderful drum solos on the album and tracks with orchestral arrangements suitable for veil or sword work and complex choreography. I've been able to practice the choreography we're working on in class at home with about half of the songs on this CD even though the instructor is using different music.

Whether you are in the mood for slow, sensuous bellydance or feel like bouncing ALL the coins off the belt, you'll find the right music on this CD. If you're just getting started with bellydance, this is a great start for your music collection."

Search - Various Artists :: Bellydance Superstars 1

CD Details

Similarly Requested CDs

Member CD Reviews

CD Reviews