As Printed in the Summer 2006 Issue (July/Aug/Sep 2006) of The Belly Dancer Magazine
Exotic Hips with Dancer
“Rachel”
Reviewed by Oberon
I absolutely loved the quality of the production and editing on this DVD. I had the feeling of a private performance in an Egyptian lounge. The backdrops and rugs were lavish yet not distracting and greatly enhanced by the skilled photography and editing. Really nice color changes and momentary elements, an implied smokiness to some frames full bright color in others. The sensitive lighting changes dramatic to soft. Total focus on this dancer with close-up and distant shots, fade-in, fade-out - very helpful in every way to the dancer's performance and the viewing of it. A beautiful, thoughtfully constructed DVD.
Of course, could executive producer Movses Panossian and producer Mher Panossian picked more deliciously in the choice of the lithesome and rakish Rachel. This dancer truly comes close to having the whole package. First and foremost, she works tirelessly at her dance and it shows. Her choice of mainstay teachers in the untouchable Aziza and the incomparable Suhaila Salimpour are evident with every move she makes. Even her beautiful and complex music choices like Banat Iskandariya performed here by the Adam Basama Ensemble, is, I felt a respectful nod to her teachers.
Rachel brings a treasure house of gifts to this video. It is hard to look away from her statuesque form with long torso and limbs and hip long curls. She is the perfect showcase for a clean vision of "belly-dance" moves. The costume changes are beyond dazzling from princess style, to sleek and sexy, to playful - all the changes are sophisticated and professionally styled. I loved the "Old Glam" fashion show feel.
As to the dance - this woman enviably strong. Not as in - powerful or over- powering - iron from her core, which allows her to execute the smallest lock the most fabulous descent with knife cutting acuity. Her taqsims are peppered with muscle driven flutters and rolls and dramatic level changes performed with unhurried intention. She is a dancer who knows that pause and action are equally important. Drum solos are just a natural showcase for Rachel. They are surprisingly packed with upper and lower locks accented by complex rolls and most exciting for me, her seated "rocker shimmies" and locks. How can all this look understated - and yet she manages extreme difficulty with an air of playful cool.
O.K. … I'm not going to run down the chapter and verse of every part of the video, the men from Peko Music have made it respectfully clear and easy for you to identify the music and musicians on the DVD. My personal favorite may have been "Bride from Tehran" because I saw a different side of Rachel and some charming interpretations of the music. My least favorite (yes I have to have a least favorite pick), that would be my all time favorite Aziza performed musically here by the Salatin Al Tarab Orchestra. The dancing didn't manage to relay the changing mood of passion and play for me.
In summation - this is not a teaching video but you can learn a whole lot about costuming, presentation, hard work, precision, elegance and grace. Every move is not perfect - that's the flaw that makes the rug a work of art, but you will view this video over and over again for the combinations and transitions alone. This beautiful dancer is also a delight to watch because of her lack of "tricks" - just a plethora of elegant and educated dance. It will become a "well-worn" part of your collection.
For More Information about Rachel go to: http://www.rachelbellydancer.com
Check out Rachel's Quarter Star Dancer Interview at:
/Columns/Quarter_Star_Dancer/Quarter_Star_Dancer__Rachel/