Desert Roses & Arabian Rhythms CD

Inspired by the success of Sting's collaboration with Cheb Mami on "Desert Rose," this 13-song sampler provides an accessible introduction to contemporary music that's connected to North Africa/the Middle East. Balancing Arabian rhythms with modern dance beats and ouds with electric guitars, these songs (several of which are sung in French or English) indicate how musicians have integrated different traditions into modern pop. The album begins with Natacha Atlas, whose haunting and alluring rendition of "Mon Amie la Rose" (a song previously recorded by Francoise Hardy) is likely to motivate many listeners to seek out her Gedida album. "Pomegranates," a song by Atlas' former British bandmates Trans-Global Underground, isn't quite as compelling; however, the group's ethno-techno fusion does provide a different perspective on how musicians have drawn on Arabian sources to create new sounds. Other examples include Iran's Andy, who updates a traditional Persian number; Algeria's Rachid Taha, whose track features Western strings and backing vocals by female trance group B'net Marrakesh"; and highly respected oud and violin master Simon Shaheen, who rearranges "I'm Yours" by Colombian vocalist Sorya. Egyptian vocalist Hakim, who is enormously popular in his homeland, provides a fine example of sha'bi street pop; Tunisia's Latifa, Algeria's Faudel, and Iraqi-born Kazem Al-Saher provide further examples of multicultural pop music; and Khaled's "Aalach Tloumouni" indicates that the compilers did not forget to include the King of rai. Meanwhile, the Prince of rai, Cheb Mami, gets two tracks on this compilation: the lithe "Hay Wadi Hay Galbi," which enhances the album's quality, and a Victor Calderon dance mix of his duet with Sting, which enhances the album's marketability. Unfortunately, some of the selections come perilously close to bland mainstream pop that seems slightly exotic because of the novelty value of the Middle-Eastern influences (e.g., Tunisian-born vocalist Amina's "Dis Moi Pourquoi"). However

Natasha Atlas,Sting & Cheb Mam Kazem Al-Saher,Hakim,Khaled,An

Includes liner notes by Chris Nickson.

Personnel: Doreen Webster (vocals, harmonica); Tuuo (vocals, congas); Bnet Marrakech (vocals, percussion); Coleridge (rap vocals, djembe); Nicolas Fiszman (guitar, mandolin); Timothy Whelan (guitar, keyboards); M (guitar, percussion); Dominic Miller, Pino, Doctor Mohsin Al Saed, Majid Yihia, Steve Postell, Tarik Hamood, Mohammed Al Mabrouk, Randy Jacobs, Sting, Bino (guitar); Hakim Hamadouche (lute, background vocals); Simon Shaheen (oud, violin); Keith Cloustin, Mamdooh Al Jabali, Nabil Khalidi (oud); Hossam Ramzy (qanoun, percussion); Maged Serour (qanoun); David Hartley, Sheema Mukherjee (sitar); Mahmoud Serour (violin, viola); Farhat Bouallagui, Moustafa Abd Al Nabi, Hani Farahat, John Rothfield, Medhat Abdel Samie (violin); Mahmoud Osman, Geoff Richardson, Bob Loveday (viola); Emad Taha, Helen Liebmann (cello); Ashraf Abdou, Sameh Catalan, Salem Bnouni, Moulay Ahmed, Kouider Berkane (strings); Farouk Mohammed Hassan, Hasan Abu Al Sioud (accordion); Bassam Saba (nay); Aziz Ben Salam, Dr. Reda Bedaire (ney); Samier Srour, Richie Cannata (saxophone); Magdy El Bourghdady (trumpet); Fadhil Falih (piano, keyboards); Mohamed Moustafa, Amr Abdel Azeez, Saed Al Artist, Spyros Poulos (keyboards); Cheb Mami (synthesizer); Hamid Mantu (drums, background vocals); Patrick Goraguer, Wajdie Fouad, Manu Katche, Zachary Alford, Kendall Kay (drums); Moshein Cehntouf (bendir); Dhia Bader, Hisham Al Arabi, Tim Garsaiddi, Ahmed Ek Ayedi, Hassan Lachal, Mino Cinelu, Steve Shehan (percussion); Bobby Summerfield (programming); Kipper (drum programming).

Audio Mixers: Sameh El Mazni; Jeff Peters; Pete Hofmann; Steve Hillage; Tom Rixton; Bobby Summerfield.

Audio Remixer: Victor Calderone.

Liner Note Author: Chris Nickson.

Unknown Contributor Roles: Gurgut Sihra; Ismaeal Tonshbalk; Tom Yum Hed; Ibraheem Kolah.

Arrangers: Andy Madadian; Ashraf AbdouQ (May 2002, p.124) - 3 out of 5 stars - "...Explores recent sounds in Arabic pop....[an] invigorating album..."
Dirty Linen (8-9/01, p.86) - "...A multicultural aural banquet..."