Putumayo Presents: Sahara Lounge

Putumayo Presents: Sahara Lounge

ASIN: B00013TBSS

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
The electrification of acoustic Middle-Eastern music dates from the 1980s, when Algerian rai superstar Cheb Khaled (now known simply as Khaled - the dropped honorific meant "kid" or youth) released his groundbreaking masterpiece, Kutche. It is now commonplace to hear melodies and instruments as old as the desert sands juxtaposed against languid, trippy vocals, while a relentless 4/4 beat is pounded home via sampled, backbeat-driven snares and weighty bass lines. However, the 12 artists on this set for the most part manage to have their fun without bruising the delicate, mysterious beauty of the original traditions. Songs from Iran, Lebanon, Morocco, Lebanon, Algeria, Turkey, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, and a couple of Western locales emerge transformed by clubby synth vamps and anchored by feisty, two-ton bottoms. The treatments come across as sexy, droll, playful, startling and/or tragically hip, and just about any listener will certainly find something to enjoy. --Christina Roden

Putumayo Presents: Sahara Lounge,Various Artists,Putumayo World Music,Int'l & World Music,Middle Eastern Pop,Pop,V/A Compilations,World Beat Collections,World Music,Worldbeat

Average customer rating:

Beautiful Music

Just getting into world music

Putumayo's Best Middle Eastern compilation

Great for Relaxation

Music from my New homeland

Putumayo Presents: Sahara Lounge
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Putumayo World Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Arabic Groove

Putumayo Presents: North African Groove

Putumayo Presents: Turkish Groove

Putumayo Presents: Latin Lounge

Putumayo Presents: Euro Lounge

ASIN: B00013TBSS
Release Date: 2004-01-20

Tracks:

Shiraz - Sharif
Astahel - Nabiha Yazbeck
Arhil - Bahia El Idrissi
Khallini Biljao - Maya Nasri
Ya Rayah (Sonar Remix) - Dahmane El Harrachi
Dub4me - Soap Kills
Cleopatra In New York (Zim Zam Mix) - Nickodemus
Elama - Yasser Habeeb
Fly - Ilhan Ersahin
Hanina (Jasmon Mix) - Jasmon
Desert Road - Justin Adams
Lili S'en Fout - Toufic Farroukh

Amazon.com

The electrification of acoustic Middle-Eastern music dates from the 1980s, when Algerian rai superstar Cheb Khaled (now known simply as Khaled - the dropped honorific meant "kid" or youth) released his groundbreaking masterpiece, Kutche. It is now commonplace to hear melodies and instruments as old as the desert sands juxtaposed against languid, trippy vocals, while a relentless 4/4 beat is pounded home via sampled, backbeat-driven snares and weighty bass lines. However, the 12 artists on this set for the most part manage to have their fun without bruising the delicate, mysterious beauty of the original traditions. Songs from Iran, Lebanon, Morocco, Lebanon, Algeria, Turkey, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, and a couple of Western locales emerge transformed by clubby synth vamps and anchored by feisty, two-ton bottoms. The treatments come across as sexy, droll, playful, startling and/or tragically hip, and just about any listener will certainly find something to enjoy. --Christina Roden

Customer Reviews:

Beautiful Music .......2007-05-25

I am a teacher in a classroom filled with 2 year olds. I LOVE music from different countries and different cultures and firmly believe that our children should be introduced to worldly music. I put this CD in for the first time as the children were waking up from nap. One girl started bobbing her head and arms to the first track, and others followed suit. It's not a fast pace dance cd like they're used to... so they had to listen, and figure out how to move, it was very interesting, and fun.

I love putting this CD on in the background while we do activities and work. The flow of this CD is beautiful! I love it!

Just getting into world music.......2006-11-18

I'm in the military and every time I walk into a "Green Beans" coffee shop anywhere in the world, they have Putumayo's music on. This was the first album I purchased right at the coffee bar, and I've not been dissapointed. I went to their website (a tad more expensive than Amazon) and just ordered 2 more albums. I can't wait to get home and share the music with my husband, who plays a mean dumbeck.

Putumayo's Best Middle Eastern compilation.......2006-09-27

"Sahara Lounge" is a highly underrated album.It's got a glorious diversity of music,showing the Middle East in all its exotic glory.When I first heard this CD playing in an imports store,I was entranced.

The opening track,"Shiraz",is a powerful instrumental from Sharif that draws you in.Bahia El Idrissi uses his background in Sufi chant to sing an enchanting song.The lyrics aren't in the liner notes,but they aren't necessary.One can hear the vastness of the desert in his voice.Maya Nasri's "Khallini Bilijao" is a powerful song of unrequited love.Soap Kills' "Dub4Me" is another great instrumental."Cleopatra in New York (Zim Zam Mix)" doesn't seem to do much with Cleopatra,or New York,but it's wonderful.Yasser Habeeb's "Elama" is a hypnotic chant.Ilhan Ersahin,who also has a track on "Euro Lounge",plays his special blend of Turkish jazz.The Jasmon mix of Mohamed Mounir's "Hanina" is delightfully loungy;if you want to hear the original,check out Putumayo's "North African Groove." Justin Adams' "Desert Road" is a great meditation on the North African desert.Finally,there's the lounge mix of "Lili s'en fout." It's been taken too seriously by some reviewers.It's meant to be fun,and it is.

"Sahara Lounge" is a perfect downtempo,chill-out companion to "Arabic Groove." It shows the breadth and diversity of Middle Eastern music.It's a perfect introduction to Arabic music.

Great for Relaxation.......2006-06-13

This music is really good if you just want to relax and enjoy the music.
Another good putumayo to me

Music from my New homeland.......2006-06-05

This is one of the best music from the Mediterranean. All songs are great Putumayo really did a great job here. Morocco is one of the most beautiful countries in the world and so are the women, I know I live here! Click on all the songs and you will agree with me, listen to the samples.
Towards the end on my Army tour in Europe, I heard some music in a Mediterranean lounge that made an impression on me. My girl friend realizing my interest in the music, informed me that it was Moorish music. We danced all night to the captivating sound that was being played in the lounge that night. At the end of the night I noticed the CD cover on top of the DJ's table, it was "Sahara Lounge", This CD is one of the best recordings from this enchanting place, it brings back the romantic days of the desert caravans. I have recently retired from the army and now I reside in Tangier (Morocco) it's close to the sea and the scene it's beautiful, the people are real nice and the region is full of stories from the days of Spanish/French (see Casablanca movie) times. I wake up every morning to the call of the Imam and listen to the rich intriguing music in the Cafe Lounges and play my Moroccan drums. Most of the people speak Spanish or French and are well educated. On weekends I can travel to Southern Spain (Tarifa) and enjoy more exotic music blending the Spanish/Moorish sounds (check Radio Tarifa Band) and its rich culture. My ex girl friend (now my beautiful wife) she is Mediterranean and the dancer in our band, she blends greatly with this region. Not only buy this album but visit Morocco, travel to Marrakesh, Casablanca, Rabat, and Tangier, Who Knows, maybe you will find your other half! Until then Salem Alekum!

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