VARIOUS ARTISTS
Bellydance Superstars (Mondo Melodia)
Reviewed by DJ Johnson

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Mondo Melodia is the world music arm of Ark 21 Records, owned by Miles Copeland, and according to the liner notes it was Copeland himself who came up with the unusual concept for this CD. The cream of the crop among bellydancers working in the United States chose their favorite songs to dance to. 9 dancers, 16 songs (two of the girls dance as a team and therefore shared their allotted two picks). The resulting CD is just as exotic sounding as you'd expect it to be, with music ranging from reasonably traditional sounding to Middle Eastern to modern hybrids that bring in non-traditional instruments and sounds, like guitar with wah-wah pedal, without losing that delicious Arabian mystique. Mondo Melodia's own stars turn in some of the most exciting tunes. Hakim is on three tracks, each one impressive and powerful. If you're not familiar with Hakim, I suggest delving into his catalog. Another Mondo Melodia group worthy of high praise are Oojami, whose "Chicky" is the kind of song that send a bellydancer - and her audience - into a frenzy. You don't need a dancer to love this CD, as long as you love the mystique and drama of Middle Eastern music. It holds up perfectly well on its own. If you have even just a fairly decent imagination, close your eyes and you'll have the dancer as well.

Track List:

Raks Africa (Dinletir) * Ah Ya Leil (Shereen) * El Salam (Hakim) * Warda (Warda) * Ice Queen (Dinletir) * Talakik (Hakim) * Nebtidi Mnain El Hikaya (Mohamed Abdel Wahab) * Chicky (Oojami) * Sahara Saidi (Gamal Gommaa) * Bitwannes Beek (Warda) * Il Alem Allah (Amr Diab) * Zeina (Mohamed Abdel Wahab) * Msafer (Mohamed Abdel Wahab) * Esma Yalli (Hakim) * Drum Solo (Suhaila Salimpour) * Habibi Ya Albi (Ihab Tawfik)


© 2003 - DJ Johnson