As anticipated when I saw the release for this CD, Mr. Ramzy has not left much to chance with this music.  Each song is superbly done - - and to be truthful, how could it be anything but near perfection with the incredible musicians he has brought together.  First, having two of my favorite musicians (Hossam. Phil Thornton and Omar Faruk Tekbilek) would have sent me to purchase this as fast as my dancing feet would have carried me, but then to find Billy Cobham, Manu Katche, and Joji Hirota all together (as well as a possible guitar legend as an extra surprise) - no way one could dance away from this purchase.

The fact that you can download it from iTunes was a plus for me.  The minute I saw the press release for this CD and that it was available on iTunes – ($9.99 – really? What a deal), it was mine – downloaded on the spot.   These days I take the more high tech approach to music, teaching, performing and listening is done via Nano, iPod and iPhone, with most of my past CD purchases now loaded into my iTunes folder and set into playlists.  So, having this CD available this way was a huge plus for me.  (Although I still want the CD in hard cover just cuz).

It is hard to determine which is my favorite, a toss up between the slow elegance of Ancient Love Affair and the exciting and driving rhythms and vocals of Rock the Tabla (which is the CD title as well).  I really believe there is something for every dancer in this CD and for the record I am already using several of the songs in performance as well as instruction. 

With Egypt-Cairo-and totally Hossam at the heart of this CD, Mr. Ramzy has given us flavors from all over the globe, fusing rhythms (Saidi (oh how I love Saidi), Malfuf, Fallahy and more) with Jazz, Rock, Samba (me likey), Spanish, Indian, Greek and……..well, what’s not to LOVE here?  Experiencing the sounds of this CD can be compared to walking into a spice market and being hit with the rich scents and colors to the left, and right and all around you – sensory overload in the best way possible.

Since iTunes likes to alphabetize my song lists, I am going to give you the songs the same way, starting with “Ancient Love Affair” (which I have been performing to this last month to rave reviews).   Delicate in its opening then adding that deep drum and the caressing voice of Elhamy Ezzat - - you will be in love in no time.  I would have purchased the CD for this song alone had I heard it first.  True to its title, you will experience a love affair with sound, voice, instrumentation - - - oh yeah – get ready my darlings – you are going to love it.

“Arabantana” - - did someone say Arabic Santana?  This is solely my interpretation of this song – not sure if that was what was meant with the title, but that is what the song feels like to me.  This is another must dance to in this CD - - the guitar creeping in shortly after the beginning - - then building to a jazz fest feel is fabulous, add percussion - - oh joy!

When I saw the name of the next tune “Billy Dancing” I had to chuckle - - Billy Cobham must have had a hand in the naming of this song.  The keyboard seems to be speaking doumbek - - what fun this song is, complete with a drum solo section to make every dancer shimmy with joy.

“Bluesy Flusey” - - if you loved Mr. Ramzy’s Derwood Green, you are going to flip over this piece.  Similar in feel, but all its own, this is a Tribal Dancer’s dream song but this Egyptian stylist is using it on the floor as well and again to rave reviews.  At a minute and a half enters the mismar, but I really love the “stop” two minutes in - - then coming back in with more instruments and layers.  Yummy, yummy yummy, I’ve got love in my hippys for this song.

“Cairo to India” - - so being truthful as I am, this is not really to my liking.  I love the instrumental portion, but could do without the female vocalist, not necessarily moaning or humming, but somewhere in between.  I actually find it annoying - - and I can’t get all the way through the song.  One of my students however “loves” this song, she said it just makes her want to “sway” as she dances. 

“Dom and Doumbia” – Hossam and Nahini get with the drums on this cut - - which is another love affair for me.  A rich blend of hands have created an exciting “let your hair down and dance” solo for performance and instruction.  You’re gonna love this!

The CDs name sake piece “Rock the Tabla” is every bit the elegant sound you would expect from Omar Faruk Tekbilek with the driving rhythms we have grown to love from Hossam.  I read in another  review there is an “uncredited” artist playing guitar here - - saying it could be Jimmy Page - - here-say perhaps – but what a fabulous addition and solo about 3 minutes into the song.  Danceable over and over and over again – never loosing interest.

“Sawagy” is a fun dance piece that I have used for party dance at the end of a show so that everyone can get up and join in the fun.  It has a great pick up halfway through that is what I call “kick in the pants – can’t sit it out fun” with vocals then finishing with a great guitar segment.

Another great drum piece is “Shukran Arigato” and I simply say, “thank you” for another piece to add to my performance sets.  Shimmies, stops, and starts for lots of dancers to show off their drum solo skills.

“Six Teens” is heavy with strings (Hossam’s String Ensemble) - - oh how I love the string section - - give me violin and I will give you ooey gooey movement. 

And we are finally to the last song “This Could Lead to Dancing”.  While I like the instrumentation, this is another with vocals off and on in which the singer is half moaning and half humming - - I can’t help it – I just don’t like it - - but you readers may love it.

This is a clear “TEN” for me, even with the moaning and humming - - (sorry Hossam).  Bringing the incredible musicians together Mr. Ramzy has here on “Rock the Tabla” can only lead to a most excellent music and dance adventure.  If you hadn’t already headed to iTunes to purchase or to rockthetabla.com after my first two paragraphs, then you will no doubt head there now.  Happy listening and dancing my friends and thank you to Mr. Ramzy and all the musicians and singers who participated for a stellar offering.