Recommend some Moroccan/Middle Eastern music

Slappy, I don't know much about it, but Ehbeth played this yesterday over at my place.

Kinda very cool

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdq3nIgmkt0

RH

Ha!

I'm listening to Middle Eastern music almost exclusively this weekend, trying to pick something to do a short choreo for.

As a starter, I'd recommend a Putumayo sampler disc

http://www.putumayo.com/en/shop_catalog.php?category=13&submenu=S12

to get a sense of which types of Middle Eastern music you like best.

Definitely take advantage of Youtube to check out some of the artists.

I'm addicted to Hamid Zaki these days. He's sort of modern Egyptian folkloric (not folk music as we talk about it in North America).

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It's pretty good party music.

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The Putumayo Gypsy Groove c.d.'s also quite good - gives examples of North African/Moroccan/Spanish/Eastern European gypsy offerings. Very different from the jazz/pop sound of groups like the Gypsy Kings.

Thanks for the links....I probably am looking for something less pop-sounding, but still upbeat, though semi-dark, if that makes sense. I'll check those out.

I'd suggest listening to the samples of the Putumayo Cairo to Casablanca c.d. that you can pick off their website.

It'll give you an idea of what musicians/styles you want to check out.

Listening to it now...digging some of the tracks on Sahara Lounge. Also gonna look for something that sounds a bit more like our house/trance.

Plus I have to research Turkey...crossing my fingers on a possible trip this year.

Morocco radio stations and live internet broadcasts

There's some really interesting music happening in Turkey. Also verra cool dancing. Saw my first Turkish bellydancing the other night - wow!

There's a piece called Cimdalli which is a traditional piece; also Macka Yollari. You should be able to get into the Turkish music at Youtube through those titles.

This Fatme Serhan piece at Youtube will give you an idea of the more traditional Baladi sound. I think it's good in a very different way from the 'poppier' sounding music.

(and the bellydancer's one of the best of her style)

I like 'Arabia Chilled' (from Netherlands EMI - available through Amazon) particularly the Spooky remix of Natacha Atlas' Duden (there's 2 minutes of it behind this bellydancing clip on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exo06u8XNIs )

Doo Hoo...Doo Hoo....