Search - Sahara Groove :: Sahara Groove

Great music from some legendary artists

Alejandra Vernon | Long Beach, California | 10/23/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a CD that should perhaps be listened to several times to fully appreciate the talent that has been gathered for it. Some of the legendary stars of North African music, with a variety of styles, are included in these selections.Among my favorites are:
Cheika Ramitti, the first and greatest of the female rai singers, her deep, powerful voice is captivating on her fabulous "Nouar".
Rhamy's "Dik Alila", is an irresistible blend of Moroccan and Cuban salsa...this is a marvelous dance track.Hossam Ramzy is a drummer of international fame, having worked with everyone from Peter Gabriel to Khaled, and the lead track here, "Sahara Groove", is a lovely percussion and oud piece.
Sahraoui: "Pas de Chance" is one of the best cuts from his "Un Homme Libre" CD...his sensual voice and excellent back-up musicians make this song a treat.Mostafa Sax: "Afrah Baladi" is a haunting piece, with Mostafa masterfully playing his saxophone in a style that's unique and beautiful.
Ali Hassan Kuban: This wonderful singer and musician has been delighting audiences for decades, and "Gammal" is a good example of Nubian music.Though the Sidi Mimoun Band's "Rihlat Essayf" may seem a little out of place at first, this ceremonial percussive music is superb, and enjoyment of it grows with repeated hearing.
Whether you like listening to rai and North African music, just want to learn more about it, or want to liven up a party, this compilation has over 53 minutes of some exciting sounds to stir the soul and open the mind to other cultures."

Good Price for Good Music

Zekeriyah | Chicago, IL | 10/15/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This CD is nothing new. Don't get me wrong, it is an excellent CD with performances by some of my favorite artists. This is just a compilation of songs by various north African artists. It gives a very good overview of of North African music. The music of Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Libya, Mauritania, Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia and so forth is incredibly wonderful and moving. Rai, al-Jeel, Chaabi, Raks Sharki and so forth are easily some of the best known generes of Arabic music, and all of these come from north Africa. And Beber music, performed by the original north Africans, is also becoming pretty mainstream. If you have heard it before, this CD might please you, but it probably wouldn't blow you away. However, if you haven't heard any music from north Africa, or even the Islamic world in general, then this CD is as good a starting place as any. It has good selections of well known artists from the region, and its pretty [inexpensive] too. Check it out."