CD Review
The Beginner's Guide To Bellydance (A 3 CD Set)
As Reviewed by Denise Mannion of Pangia
As stated by the producers of this huge compliation:
“The Beginner's Guide To Bellydance presents 3 CDs of the most exciting, evocative and innovative sounds available. From Middle Eastern cabaret through to North African folkloric styles, sizzling drum solos, groundbreaking tribal fusion break beats, and dark gothic and gypsy burlesque sounds, this box set contains a plethora of styles for your delectation.
Designed for performances, classes, and home enjoyment,
these tracks have been handpicked by DJs and dancers and feature classic cuts
alongside new discoveries, rarities, and cuts exclusive to the compilation.”
Although I would not recommend this for a first time, baby
beginning belly dance student, I would definitely suggest it for intermediate, and
advanced students and teachers for the extremely wide variety of musicians and for
the sheer amount of music on the 3 CDs in the set.
For American dancers, there are several familiar names such as Gypsy Caravan, Djinn, Uncle Mafufo, Helm and Solace.
There are some old familiar tunes and new tracks from some familiar names like Beats Antique, Phil Thornton and Hossan Ramzy as well as Emad Sayyah and Bashir Abdel Aal.
There are really great notes for each and every cut that help to describe each piece by its author, its origins, rhythms and styles used. This will enhance and enlighten your music education as well as your dance. We all SHOULD have a keen awareness to the music we are using. The notes also make it quite simple to credit the musicians and their work for your performances or printed programs. Educating your students and the audience is one of the reasons you are involved in this art form, right?
No matter what your style is, this is a wide ranging, amazingly diverse collection of traditional, modern and fusion music for instructors, performers and listeners alike.
Do not be fooled by the extremely reasonable price and add it to your collection very soon.
• Beginner's Guide To Bellydance has been compiled by Shisha
Sound System's Phil Meadley
(www.myspace.com/shishasoundsystem / www.myspace.com/philmeadley),
assisted by DJ UMB and some of the UK's top bellydancers.
Available at Amazon.com