Search - Various Artists :: Oxfam Arabia

Musical Survey of the Arab World

Zekeriyah | Chicago, IL | 10/02/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This compilation, put together as a benefit for the OXFAM charities in the Middle East, showcases the incredible diversity and beauty of Arabic music. Seeing as how Arabic language is spoken in over 25 countries in the Middle East and North Africa, from Morocco to Iraq, that means theres a great variety of styles, instruments and sounds to cover. Nonetheless, this CD does quite a wonderful job at showcasing the many and varied sounds of Arabic music.



The classical and haunting sounds of the 'ud, the center of much of Arabic classical music, are showcased by Naseer Shamma of Iraq on "Min Ashur ila Ishbiliya" (a song which shows influences from ancient Mesopotamia to Flameco-sounding Andalusian music). Cross-dressing pop star Abdou showcases Algerian rai, while Momo's "Agee Jump" offers a new generation of Arabic electronica. The song "Ya Rayeh" by Dahmane el Harrachi, later made famous when it was remixed by Rachid Taha, is featured here in it's original splendour. Classical artists like Warda and Mahmoud Fadl are presented beside the always popular Natacha Atlas, who is accompanied by Transglobal Undergound on the beautifully exotic "Taal Zaman", complete with an Egyptian orchestra sound. Other highlights include Palestinean Simon Shaheen and his Qantara orchestra, Rabih Abou Khalil's Lebanese jazz, 'ud virtuoso Abdel Gadir Salim and El-Funoun performing a traditional folk song from Palestine. Even Nubian traditions are featured, thanks to the late Ali Hassan Kuban.



All in all, this is an essential purchase for any lovers of Arabic musical traditions. In total theres over an hour of music, featuring some of the greatest musicians in the Arabic speaking world (though by no means all; plenty of great names like Abdel Halim Hafez, Fairouz and so forth were left out). And best of all, for each CD purchased, World Music Network makes a donation to OXFAM to help with their international aid in the Middle East, which includes work to help earthquake victims in southern Yemen, the impoverished Bedouin tribes of Israel's Negev, and those left homeless or injured by the war in Iraq. So buy this CD, because it's a purchase you can feel good about making."

A great intro to Arabian music

Zekeriyah | 11/12/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"But watch out for track six. It is full of fuzz and buzz and sounds like an engineering goof. Otherwise, fine recording quality throughout."