Track Listing

1. Der bauch - Mc Sultan
2. Cantamilla - Tranquility Bass
3. Kidda - Natacha Atlas
4. Fever (Steve Hillage remix) - Stero Mc's
5. Shashkin (Hefner remix) - Omar Faruk Tekbilek
6. Istikhbar (Prelude) - Gnawa Diffusion
7. Ya rayah (Bi polar remix) - Dahmane El Harrachi
8. Valencia - Rachid Taha
9. Sirocco - Momo & Christophe Goze
10. Shashkin - Omar Faruk Tekbilek
11. Caravane - Radar
12. Parisien du nord - Cheb Mami
13. Wahrane - Khaled
14. Desert roots - Hamid Baroudi
15. Alaoui (Remix) - ONB

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #12194 in Music
• Released on: 2000-09-07
• Number of discs: 1

Customer Reviews

An Exotic Musical Adventure
Let me begin this humble review letting you know that I think this is one of the most essential compilations on the market. Regardless of the musical genre.

Every track on this compilation, as you may have guessed, has a strong Middle Eastern/North African groove going on. Each track is contemporary in sound and technique, yet extremely traditional in mood and content.

There are modern drum machines and funky basslines (not on all tracks) mixed with ancient musical instruments - and the result is absolutely captivating and beautiful. The selection of tracks on offer were compiled by a guy called Momo who owns a hip nightclub/restaurant in London - and I can only imagine what a complete and blissful riot it must be to hang out there. This CD is of that rare quality where it can be played while one is alone and mellow, or it is even more dynamic and effective when it is played in a more boisterous setting. The exotic rhythms combined with the fantastic playing all round (especially percussion) are certain to grab your attention from the first minute of the first track, and not let up an inch until the very end.

A most highly recommended CD. Here's an idea. Throw a Middle Eastern party. Invite a bunch of extroverts. Prepare some Falafel, Tabouli, Hummus, Baba Ghanoush and whatever else you desire. Get the booze flowing. This CD is the icing on the cake - PLAY IT LOUD! And most important of all....don't forget to invite me.

Top Ranked Album in my Collection
This CD must be by far the very best, off-the-shelf, previously unknown, purchases I have ever made. So great is my love of the Der Boucha track (1st on the CD) that it is constantly on repeat in my head, my car and everywhere else I can play it. I have recomended it to all my friends and most of them now own a copy, including some well known DJ's on the London club scene.

I bought this album over a year ago at the airpot. Bieng of Arabic extraction, it instantly caught my attention. If you ever go to trendy night clubs and bars nowadays, you can't miss the move towards the Arabesque style of music with the rythmical tabla and distinct arabic/eastern scale of music blended in with the moderen vibes of Trance-Like-Lounge-music. It is in one word "hedonistic", invading the senses with the haunting tunes of the Nai (arabic reed flute) so renouned over centuries in my world for it's almost hypnotic powers and senses melting effects.

One year after buying this CD and it's still on my top shelf, I've even danced to it at the foot of the Pyramids on new years eve with my girlfriend who was awestruck by it's enchanting music and blend with the scenery.

The only reason it doesn't have a 5 star rating is that I also totally agree with the previous reviewers. I'd like to add that the tracks they didn't like sound even worse heard through arabic ears. When you consider that the singer(s) can't pronounce any of the arabic words (wit a lot of the letters unpronounceable in western languages), and sound dreadfull in any case. They would have been far better off just putting in some more of those excellent music tracks instead.

I'd also like to add that Momo's introduction in the sleeve cover is very good and interesting to say the least.

Excellent!!! A trip to North africa in 70 minutes...
This album has been compiled by Momo (owner of the restaurant) and Francis Peyrat (resident DJ in the basement bar).. Each track is excellent : From traditional to modern, ambient to more funky, this album is the perfect mix and brings you the best of the genre... Don't miss it!