Arabic Melody

Aline Khalaf - Sodfa

2009-02-06T05:21:00.001-08:00

Though her voice may not turn heads, when it comes to Aline Khalaf, you can always count on there being an extremely catchy single. La Li Leih, Az Alaya, Law Andak Kalam, Ba'dak Aal Bal, and her latest Farhet Ainayeh stick whether you like it or not. Bardo Sodfa, the story of lover who stalks her, is no exception thanks to Mohamed Yehia and Medhat Khamis. It is followed up by Menni Lik, another catchy maksoum song, and Kelma Fi Albi, an R&B-style song composed and arranged by Khaled Ez. Rah El Wafa (Mish Inta), a Tarek Abou Jaoudeh-Hadi Sharara collaboration, is in the duo's signature style and easily the best ballad on the album. Another ballad worth mentioning is Addet Sana, and Khaled Ez does a great job incorporating swooping strings and ney into the song. Gani We Alli is another infectiously catchy song by Mohamed Yehia, albeit in the upbeat oriental style that suits Aline best. From beginning to end, Aline's 2005 album is thoroughly enjoyable, and even the less interesting songs, like Eyounak Shaghleh, are still good and listenable.

Track List:

1. Bardo Sodfa
2. Menni Lik
3. Kelma Fi Albi
4. Ta'raf Tebtesem
5. Rah El Wafa (Mish Inta)
6. Gani We Alli
7. Ezay Ansak
8. Eyounak Shaghleh
9. Addet Sana
10. Adda Alaya
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Hind - Hind 2008

2009-02-06T05:18:00.000-08:00

When asked about her talent, the great Mayada El Hennawi called Hind "one of today's greatest, most beautiful voices," and for good reason. The young Bahraini singer's soulful approach to everything from traditional Saudi and Emirati songs to pop and ballads, is a refreshing change in a genre where young singers tend to stick to simple, non-challenging songs. The album has an impressive list of musicians, with Dr. Abdelrab Idriss, Nicolas Saade Nakhle, Michel Fadel, Tarek Aakef, Nizar Abdallah, İsmail Tunçbilek (on bouzouk), and Ali Bin Mohamed (who duets with her on the "Khaliji blues"-style Yeji Mennak). The album is very diverse, for example Thebahni El Shoug employs an Iraqi beat, while Teshteki has delightfully classic approach, and the Lebanese hit Maw'ed Omur brings in electric guitars and bongos. So even if you don't like one song, you will definitely find one you love. This is a high-quality production from beginning to end; synths are kept at a minimum and the instruments range from traditional ney, oud, kanun, and rebab to guitars and saxophones. Understandably, Hind recorded in Cairo, Bahrain, Dubai, Beirut, and Kuwait, with musicians from the Gulf, Egypt, Lebanon, and Turkey playing the various instruments. Easily her most hyped album to date, Hind's 2008 album is definitely worth a thorough listen.

Track List:
1. Meridh El Mahabba
2. Yeji Mennak
3. Thebahni El Shoug
4. Eb Kel Basata
5. Abih Yeshouf
6. Aaf El Farah
7. Hameti
8. Tawwek Ala Bali
9. Jaitek
10. Teshteki
11. Men Int
12. Maw'ed Omur
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Fares Karam - Janen

2009-02-06T05:16:00.001-08:00

Though it feels like most of the Arab world believes Fares Karam's career began with his 2006 hit El Tannoura, this Studio Al Fan graduate has been crooning for over a decade. With George Marderosian, Marwan Khoury, and Imad Shamseddine, Janen has some of the best Lebanese composers. Though Fares has become centered around comedic and daring lyrics in his latest work, Janen has some great love songs like Majnoun Bani Amer, Janen, and Khayyabt Zanni as well. Rightfully the king of playful dabke today, no one does it like Fares Karam.

Track List:
1. Janen
2. Selini
3. Mili Mail
4. El Etfa'iyeh
5. Mahdoumeh
6. Majnoun Bani Amer
7. Khayyabt Zanni
8. Am Tetthalla
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Nancy Ajram - Ya Tabtab... Wa Dalla'

2009-02-06T05:14:00.000-08:00

After two hit albums in a row, Nancy's fifth album was one of the most highly-anticipated releases of 2006. With more upbeat maksoum songs, and just a few, albeit excellent, ballads, Ya Tabtab has a bit of everything. The title song, which has been remade into Greek by Kelly Kelekidou, kicks off the album in the same playful spirit as Ah We Noss. As the album progresses, the diverse list of composers is evident. Most of the maksoum songs, Ya Tabtab (Tarek Madkour), Ana Yalli Bhebbak (Samir Sfair), Mo'gaba (Walid Saad), Ashteki Menno (Hamdi El Sediq), and Ya Si El Sayed (Walid Saad), are arranged by Tarek Madkour. Though Madkour is frequently criticized for "recycling" ideas, his work here is good and each song has its own flavor, incorporating synths into some, accordion in others, or sticking simply to violins. The ballads, Ehsas Jdid (Salim Salameh), Meshtaga Leik (Yacoub Al Khubaizi), Elli Kan (Walid Saad) and Oul Hansaki (Hassan Abou El Saoud) are even more diverse, with a different arranger in charge of each. On Ehsas Jdid, Hadi Sharara combines the best of both East and West as usually, mixing piano with bouzouk, darbouka, and strings. Elli Kan is some of Karim Abdelwahab's best, and most oriental, work so far. Amr Abdelaziz gives Meshtaga Leik light percussion (for a Khaliji song) and the pop treatment, which Nancy tends to in most of her albums. Oul Hansaki is a classic ballad, with heartfelt lyrics, and typical arrangement from Mohamed Mostafa. Even the songs that did not get the limelight, like Sabrak Alaya (Walid Saad) and Law Dallalouni (Suhail Fares) are well-composed and enjoyable. Ya Tabtab was one of Nancy's most successful and most commercialized albums too, with five of the songs used for jewelry, Coca-Cola, and perfume ads.

Track List:
1. Ya Tabtab Wa Dalla'
2. Ehsas Jdid
3. Mo'gaba
4. Meshtaga Leik
5. Ana Yalli Bhebbak
6. Ashteki Menno
7. Oul Hansaki
8. Elli Kan
9. Ya Si El Sayed
10. Sabrak Alaya
11. Law Dallalouni
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Abeer Fadda - Inta Malak

2009-02-06T05:10:00.000-08:00

Abeer Fadda is yet another underrated Syrian singer whose fame does not measure up to her talent and potential. Abeer's throaty jabali voice can easily tackle any genre, and she does in her 2005 album, Inta Malak. Abeer composed two songs, Waggef and Ser Behayatak herself, while the rest of the album is composed by Yaser Jalal, Khaled Adel, Mohamed Fawzi, and Medhat Fawzi. The album is arranged by Egyptian arrangers Medhat Khamis, Ahmed Adel, Adel Aayesh, Yehia El Mougi, and Karim Abdelwahab. The album has four great ballads, the melancholic Wallah Ma Faragni, Latin-influenced Leil Ya Gharam, Khaliji Waggef, and heartfelt Ser Behayatak. The faster-paced songs are less interesting, though Estanna Alaya and the catchy Shou Befrah stand out when compared to the maksoum songs, Inta Malak and Leila Be Alf Leila. Some will be surprised when they hear Wallah Ma Faragni, which Mayssam Nahas remade into a hit single in her latest album (albeit renamed Habib El Rouh).

Track List:
1. Estanna Alaya
2. Wallah Ma Faragni
3. Leil Ya Gharam
4. Shou Befrah
5. Leila Be Alf Leila
6. Waggef
7. Inta Malak
8. Ser Behayatak
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Haifa Wehbe - Baddi Eish

2009-02-05T12:22:00.000-08:00

The sheer self-confidence needed to release a song titled Ana Haifa, is the kind of thing that makes Haifa Wehbe's fans love her and her critics' blood pressure rise. To say she got by on her looks alone is unfair however. Haifa has a killer team of musicians, whom she works with day and night to produce some of the catchiest music on the scene. Unlike her debut album, which was dominated by Latin, electronic, and Turkish styles, Baddi Eish is full of unmistakeably Egyptian and Lebanese songs, the simplicity of which outshines the album's ballads. The mischevious Ma Khadtesh Bali, an Abou Jaoudeh-Sharara collaboration, opens like an electric song and then brings in Hadi Sharara's signature dabke beat coupled with strings and ney. Tigi Ezay continues with the same attitude, but Adel Aayesh gives the arrangement a great Egyptian feel, with darbouka, accordion, and kanun. Ya Hayat Albi, a cover of Despina Vandi's O Perittos, continues Jean-Marie Riachi's love affair with Greek laika. The version included in the album seems more like an updated version of Despina's when compared to the one Haifa originally sang, which replaced the bouzouk with accordion. Fakerni is another great Egyptian song, with mizmar, accordion, riq, and (great) strings. The title song (which translates into I Want to Live) is written, composed, and arranged by Elias Rahbani who, in the wake of Rafik Hariri's assassination, wanted his cry for an independent Lebanon to reach youth through Haifa. The album finishes with Ufuk Yilidirim's electronic remix of Howa El Zaman, and Ragab, which despite being written, composed, and arranged by Lebanese musicians, is easily Haifa's most popular Egyptian song ever.

Track List:
1. Ana Haifa
2. Bahebbak Hob
3. Ma Khadtesh Bali
4. Tigi Ezay
5. Ya Hayat Albi
6. Bahebbak Mout (Kol Marra)
7. Fi Eineik
8. Fakerni
9. Toul Omri
10. Nar El Ashwaq
11. Baddi Eish
12. Howa El Zaman (Remix)
13. Ragab
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Diana Haddad - Ahla Aghani (Best of)

2009-02-05T12:19:00.000-08:00

This album is a compilation of the best of Diana's early work, from 1996 to 1999. Diana is one of the few singers to have tasted success from her first song, and then been able to sustain it for over a decade. From the very beginning, Diana, who was born in Lebanon, raised in Kuwait, and lives in Dubai, sang in her native dialect as well as Egyptian and Khaliji. Her hit debut single, Saken is included, as well as her first Egyptian songs; Yamma Ya and Emshi Wara Kedbohom. The Lebanese songs that defined her early career, such as Ahl El Esheg, Anideh, and Legaitak, are also featured alongside her pan-Arab 1998 hit Ammaneih. Ammaneih was remade by Turkish singer Burcu Güneş in the same year and met with similar success. Composers featured here include George Marderosian, Imad Shamseddine, Riyad El Hamshari, and Ihsan El Mounzer.

Track List:
1. Emshi Wara Kedbohom
2. Ammaneih
3. Ahl El Esheg
4. Legaitek
5. Men Ghebt
6. Yamma Ya
7. Anideh
8. Bari'ah
9. Ghalteti
10. Saken
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Myriam Faris - Bet'oul Eih

2009-02-05T12:16:00.001-08:00

Despite finding a great niche for herself in the oriental-dance fusion genre, Myriam did not rest on her laurels in 2008. Myriam evolved as an artist even more with Bet'oul Eih. There are a few misses, like Samir Sfair's awkward Moush Ananiya and Marwan Khoury's sleepy Betrouh, but overall Myriam's third album is solid. Like the 2005 hit Ha'leq Rahtak, the title song is written by Myriam's sister, Roula Faris, and co-composed with Marc Abdelnour, who gives the song an authentic Egyptian feel. Mohamed Rahim returns with two songs; the upbeat Eih Elli Byehsal is arranged by Jean-Marie Riachi and follows in the style of Nadini while Iyam El Sheteh is a mellow ballad with simple, but beautiful arrangement by Hadi Sharara. Ana Albi Lik will surprise those who are used to Walid Saad's oriental ballads, and Jean-Marie Riachi gives it a fresh Latin-style arrangement. Ala Khwana, also composed by Samir Sfair but arranged by Tarek Madkour, is a refreshingly enjoyable maksoum song that beats Moush Ananiya in this listener's opinion. Law Konte Radi is Myriam's first collaboration with Tamer Ali, and despite a bit of repetitiveness, it's quite good. The album finishes off with it's first single, Moukana Wein, which is Myriam's first full-on Khaliji song. Tarek Aakef proves his innovativeness once again by incorporating the sound of the seashell belt that was worn by Bahraini pearl divers in their traditional dance. The belt was also used in the controversial video Myriam shot for the song, and she learned the choreography for the dance. Interestingly enough, Ahlam recently claimed that Kuwaiti composer Abdallah El Gaoud originally offered her Moukana Wein, but she declined it because her husband think it fit her.

Track List:
1. Moush Ananiya
2. Eih Elli Byehsal
3. Inta Bet'oul Eih
4. Betrouh
5. Iyam El Sheteh
6. Ana Albi Lik
7. Ala Khwana
8. Law Konte Radi
9. Moukana Wein
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Najwa Karam - Kibir El Hob

2009-02-05T12:10:00.000-08:00

With the Cedar Revolution, 2005 had been a trying a year for Lebanon, and with the exception of a few, most of Lebanon's A-list singers did not release albums. Najwa Karam pushed the release of her album from June, to July, and then even further. In November, as the famous "puzzle" billboard finally was finally completed and revealed Najwa's face, Kibir El Hob was released. While Najwa had not been gone from the music scene for long, the uplifting Bhebbak Wala', her first collaboration with Hadi Sharara, had already garnered a lot of anticipation for her new album. It's safe to say that that the album did not disappoint!

From the first listen, the difference in production is apparent. While Shou Mghayara..! is a great album, Kibir El Hob ups the ante in terms of arrangement, and the sound is much more organic, with more instruments and less digital substitutes. After venturing into pop with varying results, in Tahamouni, Najwa's second shot at it is much more sweet. The dabke beats are not absent from Kibir El Hob, Bhebbak Wala', Hamseh Hamseh, or the smash hit Shou Hal Hala, but Hadi Sharara injects just right amount of pop to innovate but still keep Najwa's faithful fans listening. Imad Shamseddine, who was at work with Rouwaida Attieh in 2004, returned with a much bigger contribution to Najwa's team in 2006. All three of the album's hit singles, Bkhaf Men El May, Bhebbak Wala', and Shou Hal Hala, were written and composed by Imad. While Hadi innovates, Tony Anka's traditionalist approach on Bkhaf Men El May, Ma Byensheba', Baddak Terja', and Talet Marra is all but dated. With big beats, ney, bouzouk, mizmar, sharp strings, and the nostalgic synth here and there, it's hard to keep still when listening to his work!

Track List:
1. Bkhaf Men El May
2. Ma Byensheba'
3. Kibir El Hob
4. Baddak Terja'
5. Hamseh Hamseh
6. Shou Hal Hala
7. Talet Marra
8. Bhebbak Wala'
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Amal Hijazi - Zaman

2008-12-28T07:54:00.001-08:00

Amal Hijazi's second album is, arguably, her most successful to date, and most people usually assume that this was her debut album. When you see how many of her hits came from this album, it's easy to see why. Producer Jean Saliba's affinity for Bendeniz continues in this album, and the title song is a cover of the Turkish singer/composer's own 2001 hit of the same name. With the exception of the last two tracks, the album has an oriental flavor throughout, regardless of the style of composition. The album starts with the catchy Ed'ili, Amal's first and only collaboration with Amr Mostafa. "Prince of Rai" Faudel joins Amal on Ainak Ainak, the hit Rai song which proved again Tarek Abou Jaoudeh's diversity as a composer. Iraqis Ravi and Omar compose and sing with Amal. Waili Wah. Romansiya, composed by Mohamed Rahim, is a catchy pop song which mixes in strings and mizmar with western beats and guitar. The hit Oulhali, one of Nasser El As'ad's best songs to date, is an almost magical song which combines a pop beat with oriental strings and even Indian tabla. Zaman has something for everyone, and that's probably why it's Amal's most memorable album yet.

Track List:
1. Ed'ili
2. Zaman
3. Ainak Ainak
4. Waili Wah
5. Ya Allah
6. Zein El Rouh
7. Romansiya
8. El Hawa
9. Oulhali
10. Albi Dawwa
11. Comme Çi Comme Ça
12. Mali Meil
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Bassima - Shou A Bali

2008-12-28T07:52:00.001-08:00

Bassima began her career singing and reciting English and French songs, and when you listen to her graceful voice the western influence is evident. However, unlike the way Grace Deeb tends to do, she does not force the western vocal style on oriental songs, but rather compliments them, the way Asmahan did. Shou A Bali is one of, if not the, most successful albums she has released in her decade-long professional career. Samir Sfair, who was impressed with Bassima's voice, composed four of the six tracks, including the smash hit Shou A Bali. The title song and Souret El Hob are both typical pop ballads, though with different arrangement styles from Tarek Madkour and Hani Siblini respectively. The remaining four tracks are stellar, and much more traditional in terms of arrangement. Ah Yana and Ma Yhes El Garh are both moderately paced Egyptian songs. Etr El Madi and Mish Helwin are Lebanese songs composed by Samir Sfair, the former arranged beautifully by Hani Siblini and the latter with relatively generic arrangement from Nasser El As'ad (though the infectiously catchy composition shines through anyway). While Bassima is no stranger to success, Shou A Bali was a milestone in this down-to-earth singer's career.

Track List:
1. Shou A Bali
2. Ah Yana
3. Etr El Madi
4. Souret El Hob
5. Ma Yhes El Garh
6. Mish Helwin
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Nancy Ajram - Ah We Noss (Collector's Edition)

2008-12-28T07:50:00.001-08:00

If Ya Salam as Nancy's first taste of fame, Ah We Noss laid the foundation for the singer who was about to become one of the Arab World's biggest acts. Unlike her previous album, which succeeded thanks to its three wildly successful singles, Ah We Noss was full of excellent songs. Many collaborators return, such as Samir Sfair (tracks 7, 8, & 11), Mohamed Saad (Oul Tani Eih), Tony Saba (tracks 3 & 6), Adel Aayesh (Ta'ala Ya), Tarek Madkour (tracks 1, 4, & 7), and Mohamed Mostafa (Ana Leih). Nancy also worked with several musicians for the first time, like Tarek Aakef (tracks 8 & 11), Mahmoud Khayami (Baddala' Aleik), Walid Saad (Hobbak Liya), Fadi Saad (Sana Wara Sana), Khaled Jenaid (Ta'ala Ya), Medhat Khamis (Hobbak Liya), Mohamed Rahim (Ana Leih), and Tarek Abou Jaoudeh (Lawn Eyounak). Colossal hits like Ah We Noss, Lawn Eyounak, Oul Tani Eih, and Inta Eih need no introduction, but everyone has their own personal favorites as well among the remaining tracks (like mine, Baddala' Aleik). This remastered, repackaged version of Nancy's hit 2004 album gives the audio the quality and clarity it deserves.

Track List:
1. Ah We Noss
2. Baddala' Aleik
3. Lawn Eyounak
4. Oul Tani Eih
5. Ta'ala Ya
6. Sana Wara Sana
7. Inta Eih
8. Gaiyin Ye'oulouli
9. Ana Leih
10. Hobbak Liya
11. La Teloum
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Moin Shraif - Albak Tayeb

2008-12-28T07:46:00.000-08:00

Moin Shraif's excellent 2007 album was quickly forgotten, perhaps due to the lackluster title song, but it is undeniable how popular the singles that followed, As'ab Kelmeh and Rsamtak. Moin's album consists of 8 tracks, diverse in terms of both composition and arrangement. Nicolas Saade Nakhle's compositions were extremely well-received, but the overly repetitive title song is quickly overshadowed by Rsamtak, and the electrifying arrangement done by Hadi Sharara. Rawad Raad composes another two stellar songs on this album; a great ballad, As'ab Kelmeh, and Addait El Nejmat, a great dabke song arranged beautifully by Bilal El Zein. Mahmoud Khayami's compositions, El Omr Kello and Yama Alou Fik, are the least interesting songs, but listenable still thanks to Adel Aayesh's rich arrangement. The last two tracks are composed by Samir Sfair and arranged by Tarek Aakef, and are both great ballads that harken back to the duo's 1990s work.

track list:
1. Albak Tayeb
2. As'ab Kelmeh
3. El Omr Kello
4. Yama Alou Fik
5. Rsamtak
6. Addait El Nejmat
7. Kel El Haq Alaik
8. El Moshkela Ennak Habibi
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Assi Al Hillani - Zghireh El Denyeh

2008-12-28T07:42:00.001-08:00

Assi Al Hillani never made an album as diverse as Zghireh El Denyeh, and the success that followed was only natural. The album includes the smash hits Habibi Yalli Nasini, Senin, Ouli Jayeh, as well as Zghireh El Denyeh and an electronic remix of the the 2000 hit El Hawa Tayer. Though Tarek Abou Jaoudeh does not dominate this album (like he did Forset Omur), his work is stellar all the same on all four songs he composed: Habibi Yalli Nasini, Ouli Jayeh, Dayeb Fik, and Tarani. Whether its pure pop songs, like the title song or Dayeb Fik, dabke songs like Lamma Betkouni Ma'i and Ala Ain, or fusions like Habibi Yalli Nasini and Tarani, Zghireh El Denyeh is an album that doesn't disappoint. The list of musicians and arrangers Assi worked with is just as impressive, with arrangers Hadi Sharara, Jean-Marie Riachi, Boudi Naoum, and Ravi. Also on the list is İsmail Tunçbilek (on saz), Maher El Ali (ney and kawala), and strings by Jihad Akl, Raymond Nassif, and Orchestra Gundem from Turkey.

Track List:
1. Zghireh El Denyeh
2. Habibi Yalli Nasini
3. Senin
4. Ouli Jayeh (feat. Karol Sakr)
5. Lamma Betkouni Ma'i
6. Tarani
7. Dayeb Fik
8. Ala Ain
9. Inti El Ha'i'a
10. Weili
11. Be Einak Shoug
12. Haniyalak
13. El Hawa Tayer (Remix)
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Darine Hadchiti - Kel El Ossa

2008-12-12T02:30:00.001-08:00

Darine Hadchiti's third album is a solid effort from the young Lebanese singer. As always, Kel El Ossa boasts a stellar list of musicians, including Tarek Abou Jaoudeh, Hadi Sharara, Wissam El Amir, Roger Khoury, George Karam, Zaher El Baba, Mohamed Yehia, Walid Saad, Adel Aayesh, and Boudi Naoum. As is usually the case, Darine's album is quite lengthy, and so there are a number of great songs with not-so-great songs filling the gap. The album opens like her previous two, with a Tarek Abou Jaoudeh-Hadi Sharara collaboration. Meshta'a is another catchy song with an amazing fusion of Arabic and electronic music. The title song, an upbeat and fun Lebanese song composed by Wissam El Amir, follows. Kel El Ossa's arrangement is reminiscent of the style Roger Khoury used with his last collaboration with Wissam El Amir, on Melhem Zein's Alawwah. Next up is Ana Aheb (Fiha Eih Ya'ni), which is composed by one of the busiest men this year, Mohamed Yehia. Tarek Madkour's upbeat, poppy arrangement on this song is one of his better works this year. The album's first single, Rasi Ala Rasak, is an equally great song, thanks to both George Karam's upbeat composition and Boudi Naoum's fusion of pop with an Arabic beat and mizmar. Ma Bta'refni, composed by Zaher El Baba, is another enjoyable, upbeat song, even though the arrangement takes a backseat with nothing special. Hobbak Ghali Alaya, Darine's first Egyptian single, is fairly good although her vocals don't do much for the song. Darine Hadchiti's vocals are not necessarily bad, her failure to create a niche for herself is what holds her back, even after the release of her third album. Regardless of what you hear from others, Kel El Ossa is definitely worth a listen, with a number of good songs to be discovered.

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Track List:
1. Meshta'a
2. Kel El Ossa
3. Ana Aheb (Fiha Eih Ya'ni)
4. Maw'oudeh
5. Denyeh B'ideh
6. Rasi Ala Rasak
7. Mamnou'
8. Ma'ouleh Hayda El Hob
9. Ma Bta'refni
10. Khedni Wrouh
11. Hobbak Ghali Alaya

Nawal - Nawal 2009

2008-12-12T02:27:00.001-08:00

Nawal's long-awaited follow-up to Nawal 2006 has finally arrived, and it is definitely good. As always, Nawal has an infectiously catchy single, and the rest of the album is filled with well-chosen lyrics, and generally mellow music. Mou Liya, like El Shoug Jabek, Bi Yahsedouni Aleih, and Tammen Galbak before it, is infectiously catchy and goes places Nawal has never been before. After joining Nawal on his compositions like El Shou Jabek and Fel Bedaya, Mish'al El Orouj returns even more prominently in Mou Liya, although it is his only composition here. On this album, Nawal's Egyptian song is composed by Walid Saad, after working with the late Riyad El Hamshari on her past two albums. Bahraini arranger Sirouz has much more prominent presence on Nawal 2009 than any other arranger, a fact this listener doesn't like, but listening to the work Khaled Ez and Hani Farhat do on Hathi Jedida, Wein Antehi, and Khed'a, or İsmail Tunçbilek does on Mou Liya is gratifying enough to forget it. Sah is another beautiful song, combining Turki's meaningful lyrics with Sahm's skillful composition (which he already proved in Asalah's 2007 album, Sawaha Galbi), and Essam El Sharaiti & Hani Farhat's arrangement. Nawal 2009 caters to those who like the polished Nawal as much as it does to those who like the rougher, more old school Nawal.

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Track List:
1. Dhagat Aleik
2. Meshtag Galoli
3. Sam
4. Leih Saket
5. Hathi Jedida
6. Mou Liya
7. May Eini
8. Sah
9. Ghab Nourek
10. Khed'a
11. Aghla Hob
12. Has Be Ghalteto
13. Min Allemek
14. Eyoun El Nas
15. Wein Antehi

Hoda Saad - Ertaht

2008-12-12T02:24:00.000-08:00

Moroccan singer Hoda Saad's debut album is a mellow, mostly traditional one. Hoda skillfully sings in the Egyptian, Lebanese, and Khaliji dialects, as well as her native Moroccan dialect. Hoda's soft, feminine voice does not instantly distinguish itself, but it is good and well-employed throughout the album. Hoda works with some of the top names in the business, including Walid Saad, Salim Salameh, Mahmoud Khayami, and Mohamed Rifai. Looking like Egyptian songstress Sherine can't hurt either.

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Track List:
1. Ma Kontesh
2. Ma Sadda'
3. Maghroumeh Fik
4. Abou El Erreif
5. Jit Nsidou
6. Ma Tfakkarnish
7. Ma Baddak
8. Ertaht Ashan Nesitni
9. Allah Yaster

Mohamed El Majzoub - Hann Albi

2008-12-12T02:17:00.000-08:00

Mohamed El Majzoub was a favorite to win the second season of Rotana TV's Arab import of The X Factor. And not surprisingly, the 17-year-old Syrian won it. As promised, Mohamed went to work on his debut album, courtesy of Rotana, and one year later here it is. Like fellow X Factor winner Rajaa Qasabni before him, Mohamed works with Walid Saad, Salim Salameh, and Adel Aayesh. The album also maintains the same oriental feel throughout, with traditional instrumentation and only the title song using a pop beat. However, unlike Rajaa's album, Lebanese songs dominate this album and there is far more variety in terms of composers and arrangers with Hisham Boulos, Marc Abdelnour, Khalil Abou Abeid, and Dani Helou on board also. Rotana has produced another winner in Mohamed, and this album is definitely one of the strongest debuts in years.

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Track List:
1. Allah Shou Bhebbak
2. Hann Albi
3. Keda Tensani
4. Hebbini
5. Ba'dek
6. Ma T'oulsh Ana
7. Ana A'mel Eih
8. Bhessak Ma'i

Asmahan - Les Archives De La Musique Arabe

2008-12-12T02:12:00.000-08:00

Born Amal Al Atrache to Syrian Druze nobility, Asmahan's life was almost as interesting as her sublime voice. Asmahan's father, Fahd Al Atrache, was the governor of the Demirci district in Ottoman Turkey. After Turkey lost Syria to the French, the Atrache family fled fearing Turkish retribution and Asmahan was born on the ship that took them back to Syria. Having lost their wealth, Asmahan's mother was forced to sing for a living and became young Asmahan, and her brother Farid's inspiration. One of the earliest singers to introduce the western influence to Arabic music, Asmahan's voice excelled at almost anything. Though Farid lived quite a long life and became a legendary singer, actor, and composer, Asmahan was not so lucky. Her mysterious death in Egypt was blamed on the intelligence wars of the time, and it was rumored she was a spy. Other more ridiculous conspiracy theories account even accused Oum Kalthoum of having her murdered "to kill off the competition". This is a compilation of Asmahan's greatest songs, and even includes Ya Habibi Ta'ala and Layali El Ons, which are still concert favorites to this day.

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Track List:
1. Aleik Salat Allah
2. Layta Lel Barqi
3. Farraq Ma Beinna
4. Naweit Adari
5. Layali El Bashar
6. Ash'inha
7. Layali El Ons
8. Ya Habibi Ta'ala

Pascale Machaalani - Sa'beh Eish Men Dounak

2008-12-12T02:05:00.000-08:00

Pascale Machaalani's eleventh studio album, Sa'beh Eish... Men Dounak, was released in 2004. Apart from the odd intro or beat, the majority of the album is quite purist, working with strings and Arabic beats rather than chasing new trends. As we have come to expect from Pascale in the past few years, the majority of the album is arranged by Melhem Abou Shdid, and he did some of his best work here. With the exception of the title song, the album is written by Egyptian lyricists, and composed by both Egyptian and Lebanese composers, such as Tarek Abou Jaoudeh, Mostafa Aoud, Mahmoud Khayami, and Boudi Naoum (who brings a pop song to the table as usual). Pascale had many unforgettable hits with this album, such as Sa'beh Eish Men Dounak and Sana Oula Gharam, but many of the songs that weren't given the spotlight, like Ba'd Keda and Aal Youm El Youm, are equally great.

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Track List:
1. Sa'beh Eish Men Dounak
2. Rouhi Inta
3. Ana Toul El Youm
4. Ba'd Keda
5. Balak Tawil
6. Sana Oula Gharam
7. Aal Youm El Youm
8. Omri Lik
9. Bahebbohou

Reeda - Shaklak Ma Ytammensh

2008-12-08T20:00:00.000-08:00

Reeda's absence from the music scene could not have been cut short in a better way than her 2006 album, Shaklak Ma Ytammensh. To announce her return, she released a video for Mashi Ya Zaman which showed her at work in the studio with Iwan and Tarek Abou Jaoudeh, as well as other musicians, production teams, and makeup artists. A few months later, Reeda released her album and the video for the title song simultaneously. Though the arrangers incorporate western instruments to spice things up, the album is a very oriental one. The catchy title song, composed by Riyad El Hamshari, is made up of heavy beats, accordion, and kanun for the most part. The third single, Bala Betthebni, is another catchy, upbeat song composed by Mohamed Yehia, and Khaled Nabil incorporates the electric guitar (similar to the way he did on Aadi by Nora Rahal). Hadi Sharara's arrangement on the upbeat Khallik Ala Rahtak is also reminiscent of his work on Razan's hit debut single, Law Hob Dah, which came out later that year. Apart from the very Turkish Bes'al Hali, which doesn't fit Reeda at all, and the sleepy Tamma'tak Feya, the album is a success. However, is no doubt that Mashi Ya Zaman remains the gem in this album, and the proof is that most to people refer to this album by that title.

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Track List:
1. Bala Betthebbeni
2. Kol Dmou' El Koun
3. Shaklak Ma Ytammensh
4. Tamma'tak Feya
5. Bes'al Hali
6. Khallik Ala Rahtak (Narak Men Nari)
7. Khod Albi
8. Mashi Ya Zaman
9. Mashi Ya Zaman (Remix)

Elissa - Ahla Dounya

2008-12-08T19:46:00.001-08:00

Elissa's 2004 album was a turning point for the Lebanese singer in many ways. It not only cemented her Egyptian success, got her a contract with Pepsi, and won her her first World Music Award, it also marked the most active point in Elissa's career. It was her last album with producer Jean Saliba, and her last collaboration with Jean-Marie Riachi, who arranged the whole album. The album is dominated by western-style ballads and Latin touches, but there are a number of songs which shine through. Elissa remakes another Turkish song here also, Bain El Ain is a cover of İzel's Dile Benden, and although I prefer İzel's voice, Jean-Marie Riachi gives the arrangement slightly more depth. The hit Erga' Lel Shouq, Elissa's first completely Arabic-sounding single, makes you almost feel the orchestra around you. The sad Hobbak Waja', exhilarating Arrabli, upbeat Irham Albi, and emotional Gouwaya Lik, are all more than enough to merit this album a listen. For fans of Hossam Habib, after working with her on Ayshalak, Hossam also composed Ad Ma Bashta'lak. Jean-Marie Riachi fell out with Elissa after this album for reasons that remain unclear, but Ahla Dounya remains a testament to his contribution to her success.

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Track List:
1. Erga' Lel Shouq
2. Ahla Dounya
3. Kol Youm Fi Omri
4. Khallini A'ish
5. Bain El Ain
6. Hobbak Waja' (Inta La Min?)
7. Ad Ma Bashta'lak
8. Kan Nefsi A'raf
9. Zikra
10. Irham Albi
11. Gouwaya Lik
12. Arrabli
13. Law Nerja' Sawa

Magida el Roumi - Kalimat

2008-12-08T19:26:00.001-08:00

Magida el Roumi's 1991 album was one of the most important in her career. Reissued several times, and with the iconic title song etched in the minds of Arab listeners everywhere, Kalimat set the stage for what was to come from this living Lebanese legend. Combining "the women's poet" Nizar Qabbani's beautiful poetry with Ihsan El Mounzer's beautiful fusion of classical and Arabic music, Kalimat is one of those songs you never forget. The great Mayada El Hennawi also talked about her love for this song when interviewed on Shako Mako.

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Track List:
1. Kalimat
2. Esma' Albi
3. El Iyam
4. Inta We Ana
5. Koullon Youghanni Ala Lailah
6. Beirut Set Eddounia

Myriam Faris - Nadini

2008-12-08T19:24:00.001-08:00

Myriam Faris truly broke out of the mold of her debut album with Nadini. Instead of tired remakes, Myriam worked with some of the greatest names in the industry, new and old. With only two ballads on the album (the très traditionnelle Hassait B'Aman and the more pop-ish Hassesni Bik), Myriam's album is young and whether it goes for Europop or belly dance beats, it's upbeat dance music. The album opens with hit title song, a fast-paced, and extremely catchy, electronic song, composed by Mohamed Rahim from Egypt, and arranged by Jean-Marie Riachi from Lebanon. Anadiya is an irresistable mix of traditional Arabic music and electronic beats, with the song moving from violins and riqq to accordions and club beats in a heartbeat. To a similar effect, Ha'leq Ala Rahtak opens like something out of a Zorro movie and turns into a quintessential belly dancing song. Boudi Naoum follows up 2003's Shou Baddo Ysir, with another very Europop offering, Leih Habibi, which the versatile Myriam works with very well. Za'lan Menni is for fans of the Latin sound, with brass and Latin beats mixing with heavier Arabic beats. Ma'rafsh Had Bel Ism Dah takes a similar path, adding mizmar and doing away with the Latin beat. Khallini Tir, which more or less qualifies as a ballad too, combines Tarek Abou Jaoudeh's dramatic composition with Ravi's excellent arrangement, combining heavy strings with kanun, riqq, and powerful beats. The album's last single, Waheshni Eih, continues where Nadini left off, but adds Arabic beats and mizmar to the mix, making for a much more interesting song.

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Track List:
1. Nadini
2. Anadiya
3. Hassesni Bik
4. Ha'leq Rahtak
5. Leih Habibi
6. Ma'rafsh Had Bel Ism Dah
7. Hassait B'Aman
8. Khallini Tir
9. Za'lan Menni
10. Waheshni Eih

Elissa - Ayami Bik

2008-12-08T19:17:00.001-08:00

Track List:
1. Ayami Bik (Wana A'dar)
2. Khod Balak Alaya
3. Betmoun
4. Ya Aalem
5. Law Ma Teji
6. Moush Ketir Aleik
7. Adik Ereft
8. Ala Hobbak
9. Ana Bastaghrab Aleih
10. Saher Aini
11. Awakher El Sheta

Much like Bastannak vastly contrasted Ahla Dounya, Ayami Bik was quite different from the album that it succeeded. Elissa's sixth studio album depends less on pushing the envelope in musical innovation, and more the heartfelt lyrics. It's Elissa's most personal album to date, with ballads from start to finish. Michel Fadel, Yaser Nour, and George Karam are all absent from this album, but Elissa works with Walid Saad, Sherif Tag, Yehia El Hassan, Ayman Mohseb, and Tarek Madkour for the first time. Nasser El As'ad, who was missing from Elissa's past two albums, returns to her team, as do the musicians who dominated Bastannak: Marwan Khoury, Dani Helou, Tamer Ali, Tamim, and Claude Chalhoub. The title song marks Elissa's first foray into dance music, albeit with Ayshalak-esque strings maintaining the oriental feel. For the most part, it is the oriental-sounding songs, like Betmoun, Saher Aini, and Ala Hobbak, that have the most beautiful music. After the huge success Kermalak and Zanbi Ana were, Elissa's third Marwan Khoury collaboration had big shoes to fill, but like Kermalak, it practically upstaged the title song. Ya Aalem, despite the weak intro, and Ana Bastaghrab Aleih are easily the most powerful of the western-style ballads, but it's Saher Aini that takes the cup for the combination of beautiful lyrics and rich oriental music.

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Mayada El Hennawi - Bayent El Hob Alaya

2008-12-08T19:13:00.001-08:00

Track List:
1. Bayent El Hob Alaya
2. Alouli Ansa
3. Mahma Aghanni
4. Addemt El Rouh
5. Ma'ak Lel Nehaya

Syrian diva Mayada El Hennawi's 1993 album is a good example of popular music in the 1990s. The album starts off with the playful Bayent El Hob Alaya, the relatively short song (by 90s standards) is an accordion-infused Tarek Aakef composition. Alouli Ansa, which saw a dramatic resurgence in popularity when it was sampled on Aaliyah's More Than A Woman, is also composed and arranged by Tarek Aakef. Mahma Aghanni is a great example of the oriental style of saxophone playing, and Addemt El Rouh is a beautiful classically-influenced ballad. The lengthy Ma'ak Lel Nehaya closes the album on a relatively upbeat note. Once nicknamed Motrebet Al Jil (Singer of the Generation), Mayada's style, which borders on conversation, and her old-world grace, is what she is known for to this day.

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Assi Al Hillani - Yemken

2008-12-08T19:10:00.000-08:00

Assi Al Hillani's latest album is less diverse than his previous offering, Daggat Galbi, but Assi never disappoints, and Yemken is no exception. Though his albums are always dominated by traditional songs, his past two albums focused on more electronic and pop-oriented songs like Zghireh El Denyeh and Sa'alou Ainayeh, so pop fans will not like the fact that Assi seems to have grown out of it (for the time being anyways). Seven of the album's 14 tracks are composed by Assi himself (Dalli Ma'i, Halet Galbi, Bendah Ma Am Yesma', Sahra El Sharq, Lebnani, Kheil El Arab, and Khada'tena); and the remaining seven are by Haitham Zayyad (Rja'li Aw Raja'li, El Hawa Dhalem), Maher El Ali (Eyoun Al Maha), Hisham Boulos (Am Oul El Ah), Jean-Marie Riachi (Yemken), and Cem Erman (Nour El Sahar). Yemken, a very mellow title song when compared with Daggat Galbi, starts off as an uninteresting ballad, but about two minutes in, when west finally meets east, the song turns into a much more powerful song that deserves it's place as the first single. In Nour El Sahar, Nasser El As'ad takes Erman's Gümüş theme and remixes it into a far more interesting, dancefloor-worthy song. Assi, who has dueted with (and practically launched the career of) Grace Deeb and Karol Sakr before, sings two duets on this album (and Melissa does a bit of humming in Nour El Sahar as well). Rja'li Aw Raja'li is a ballad featuring Tunisian Star Academy 3 contestant Chaima Hilali, and she excels as usual in this melancholic song which combines both clarinet and oud solos. In Sahra El Sharq, Rouwaida Attieh joins Assi in one of the best dabke songs of the year, and steals the show in the process. Adel Aayesh does a great job also, with very organic arrangement made up of mizmar, ney, kawala, and violins. Assi includes two patriotic songs he previously released as singles, the powerful Kheil El Arab and Lebnani. Bouset Khanjar is a cover of Davut Güloğlu's Ham Yaparim, made more electronic and even more dramatic by Aytekin Kurt. Am Oul El Ah, which is arranged by Hadi Sharara, is a "nouveau-dabke" song in the vein of Najwa Karam's Ta'a Khabbik.

Track List:
1. Dalli Ma'i
2. Halet Galbi
3. Yemken
4. Nour El Sahar (feat. Melissa)
5. Rja'li Aw Raja'ni (feat. Chaima Hilali)
6. Bendah Ma Am Yesma'
7. Am Oul El Ah
8. El Hawa Dhalem
9. Sahra El Sharq (feat. Rouwaida Attieh)
10. Bouset Khanjar
11. Eyoun El Maha
12. Lebnani
13. Kheil El Arab
14. Khada'tena
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Pascale Machaalani - Shou Amaltellak Ana?

2008-12-08T19:06:00.000-08:00

Here's something to put in your car stereo on your way to the family! Pascale's 2003 album has many great tracks, like the title song, as well as the fun Leila Ba'd Leila, and her first Tunisian song, Ana Habbaitou. This is one of her most upbeat albums, and most diverse too, with composers Melhem Bou Shdid, Mahmoud Khayami, Salim Salameh, Samir Sfair, Riyad El Hamshari, Khaled El Bakri, and Imad Shamseddine all on board.

Track List:
1. Shou Amaltellak Ana?
2. Leila Ba'd Leila
3. Moush Arfa Ansak
4. Jannanto
5. Yeslamli
6. Ana Habbaitou
7. Gai Walla Nsit
8. Elli Mou Aal Bal
9. Betkhaf Aleik Addi
10. La Far'a Ma'ak
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Diana Haddad - Men Diana Ala

2008-12-08T18:56:00.000-08:00

Diana Haddad returns to the music scene with Men Diana Ela... (a.k.a. From Diana To), a Khaliji album from beginning to end. The styles range from pop and ballads to the traditional. Some songs use typical Arabic beats (be it from the Gulf or Iraq), while others use styles that border on Latin, African, and Indian music. Never one to depend on one lyricist or musician, Diana works with a number of composers, like Walid El Shami, Abdelqader El Hedhoud, Fayez El Sa'id, and Essam Kamal. Arrangers Ziad Nadim, Ali Msafer, Bilal El Zein and Ahmed Asadi each do great jobs on Shloun Ashoufah, Tahreg A'sabi, Leit El Goloub, and Ajiba respectively. Though most would have liked to see Diana release a more diverse album, after a two-year wait, Men Diana Ela... is thoroughly enjoyable album.

Track List:
1. Sheft Ettesalek
2. Shloun Ashoufah
3. Tahreg A'sabi
4. El'ab Ala Galbi
5. Allah Ykhallik
6. Ajiba
7. Ya Za'lan
8. Ma Yet'ebni
9. Leit El Goloub
10. Rouh Ya Sghayer
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Oriental BellyDance Darbouka & Tabla Vol. I

2008-11-15T15:22:00.000-08:00

Download List:
Bellydance Beat 4,9 Mb
Bellydance Darabouka 4,4 Mb
Darabouka Rhythm 4,9 Mb
Darabouka With Accordian 3,9 Mb
Darabouka With Mizmar 4,9 Mb
Darabouka Sagaat 4,9 Mb
Disco Darabouka 4,7 Mb
Only Darabouka 4,5 Mb
Style Dance 4,4 Mb
Taqseem Darabouka 4,5 Mb
Mobile Dance 5,0 Mb

ORIENT (Traditional Music & Voices)

2008-11-15T15:16:00.000-08:00

Download list:
01. Omar Faruk Tekbilek - "Hasret" (Turkey)
02. Abida Parween - "Tere ishq nachaaya" (Pakistan)
03. Al Kartch (Egypt)
04. Ghulam Ali - "Hangama hai kyon barra" (Pakistan)
05. Sanyaj Mishra - "For Julia" (India)
06. Traditional - "Ya rabbat el-hussen" (Yemen)
07. Fawzy Hafez - "Tala ala bedr aleyna"
08. Eshbehayn (Morocco)
09. Taqsim cura - "Love song" (Usbekistan)
10. Hamza Shakkur - "Ghayri ala s-sulwan qadir" (Syria)
11. Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan - "Rahway wasdi jhok faridan di" (Pakistan)

Titanic Arabic

2008-09-24T08:40:00.000-07:00

Size: 4,304 KB
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Shahrazat - Turkish Bellydance

2008-09-24T08:37:00.000-07:00

Hits List:
1. Sen Hayatsin Ben Omur
2. Beni Unutma
3. Selam Ver Yeter
4. Istanbul'a Selam
5. Sehrazat
6. Benden Sana
7. Camlicadan Bakinca
8. Beyoglunda Bir Aksam
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Classical Egyptian Dance (El-Sultaan)

2008-09-24T08:33:00.000-07:00

Size: 105 MB
Hits List:
1. Eddalla Ala Kefak (Play Hard, To Get What You Wish For)
2. Tool Omri Ba-Hebbak (I Loved You All My Life)
3. Rannet Khol-Khali (The Ringing of My Ankle Bracelet)
4. Ana Albi Elik Mayyal (My Heart Favours You)
5. Ya A-Az Min Eyini (You Are More Precious Than My Eyes)
6. Bait El-Ez Ya Betna (Ours Is a House of Goodness)
7. Ya Bent El-Sultaan (Daughter of the Sultan)
8. Yama Layali (Many a Night)
Download links:
Part 1
Part 2
SENHA:
WeLove-music

Kheles - El Kalam (2006)

2008-09-24T08:28:00.000-07:00

Hits List:
01. Tamenouni Eniek
02. Ya Rayet
03. Waat Orayeb
04. Leah Ya Habibi
05. Wahda Wahda
06. Message (Mosh Hatensani)
07. Baaet Aada
08. Kheles El Kalam
09. Halan Delwaati
10. Kont Tetkalem
11. Ahla Haga Feeki
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Ravi Shankar at the Monterey International Pop Festival

2008-03-20T10:26:00.000-07:00

Artist: Ravi Shankar
Name album: Ravi Shankar at the Monterey International Pop Festival
Genre: Indian, New Age
Year: 1967
Info: MP3, VBR 128-224 kbps, 75MB
Time: 53:17

Tracklist
01 - Raga Bhimpalasi
02 - Tabla Solo in Ektal
03 - Dhun (Dadra and Fast Teental)

Ravi Shankar - sitar
Alla Rakha - tabla
Kamala Chakravarti - tamboura
Kamala Chakvravarty - tamboura

Download Links:
Album
01. Raga Bhimpalasi
02. Tabla Solo in Ektal
03. Dhun (Dadra and Fast Teental)
covers

A Life in Music - Ananda Shankar

2008-03-20T10:23:00.000-07:00

Artist: Ananda Shankar
Album: A Life in Music: Best of the EMI Years
Year: 2006

Tracks :
1. Jungle Symphony
2. Dancing Drums
3. Back Home
4. The River
5. The Alien
6. Charging Tiger
7. Streets of Calcutta
8. Storm
9. Renunciation
10. Cyrus
11. Missing You
12. Anjali
13. Radha
14. Celebration
15. Namaskar
16. Discovery of India
17. Night in the Forest
18. Universal Magic
19. Exploration
20. Gypsy
21. Indrasabha
22. Rajput Bride

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Saadgi By Lata Mangeshkar

2008-03-15T10:47:00.001-07:00

Track List :

1. Andhe Khawabon Ko
2. Chand Ki Pyali Se
3. Ishq Ki Baatein
4. Mein Kahan Ab
5. Mujhe Khabar Thi
6. Pair Khain Door SE
7. Raat Hi
8. Ya Nam Aankhein
9. Jo Itna Kareeb Hain

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9 Latest Hits
File Size: 51 MB
Format : MP3
Channel: 2 Stereo
Bit Rate 128 Kbps

Saawariya

2008-03-11T14:06:00.000-07:00

Track List:
1. Chhabeela
2. Daras Bina Chain Nahin
3. Jaan-E-Jaan
4. Jab Se Tere Naina
5. MashAllah
6. Pari
7. Saawariya
8. Saawariya(Reprise)
9. Sawar Gayi
10. Thoda Badmash
11. Yoon Shabnami

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Madhuri Dixit (Aaja Nachley 2007)

2008-03-11T13:49:00.000-07:00

Track Liist :

1. Aaja Nachle
2. Dance With Me
3. Is Pal
4. Ishq Hua
5. Koi Pattah Se Na Maare
6. Nachle - Reprise
7. O Re Piya
8. Show Me Your Jalwa
9. Soniya Mil Ja

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