Search - Turbo Tabla :: Bellydance Overdrive (Dig)

Arabic House that's made for dancing

L. Hawkins | USA | 08/07/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Turbo Tabla is a fusion of traditional Arabic music with modern Electronica and Techno; it's Arabic music "re-imagined" so to speak. Founded and performed by native Egyptian Karim Nagi -- a classically trained Arabic instrumentalist who was inspired to fuse the rhythms and beats of the techno, dance, and hip hop he grew up with in the West with the Oriental rhythms and instrumentation of his native country he returned to visit each year.



The best way to describe Turbo Tabla's music is "Arabic Techno." Karim's high level of musical proficiency, he teaches classical Arabic music at the conservatory level, gives his modern musical interpretations a feeling and sound of authenticity that couldn't be there otherwise. The Egyptian Tabla (goblet drum), Riqq (tambourine) and Segat (brass castanets, aka finger cymbals) aren't just musical accents, nor is this traditional music played against a techno bass track. These songs were created with the traditional instruments playing the modern rhythms blended with the electronic music in Arabic tempo. In this marriage of styles the traditional instruments actually drive the electronic music, making the distinction between the two seamless.



Make no mistake here, this isn't an Arab grandfather's music, nor is it for anyone who ideas of Arabic/belly dance music wish to remain firmly planted in the past. These songs are grooves designed for the dance hall, modern style belly dancer, and the Arab House enthusiast. Those who've embraced the popular Belly Dance fitness trend will also delight in the driving beats and high energy present on each track. In fact, Turbo Tabla contributed four songs to the soundtrack of Bellyqueen's instructional DVD "Bellydance Jam," two of which, "Turbo Tabla Two" and "Telegrafin Telleri" are also on this album. The self titled "Turbo Tabla 3" is a track on the "Bellydance Superstars Vol. II" album as well, proving that Karim's music is one part of the sweeping trend helping create hordes of enthusiastic American belly dance and Arabic music enthusiasts."

Invigorating and Brilliant

Sinai Nites | L.A. California | 05/16/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Last month I got this this album as a birthday gift. It's awesome!It has an excellent variation of traditional belly dance music and techno/arabic one. Turbo tabla 2 and 3 are a brilliant drum solo made for the professional dancer who will keep up with the beat. It allows you an amazing opportunity to experiment with different moves or show off the moves you've mastered. Another great song is the first one (longa). Listen to it while your eyes are closed and imagine the universe as your stage. I am really thinking of performing it without coreographying it. It forces you to dance and move like a QUEEN!!!! If you know Flaminco, you can mix in a few steps in both songs 4 and 11. I also know that my finale will be song no. 10 coz of the energy of the music and the space it creates for the professional dancer. I buy a lot of belly dance music. In most cases I like maximum of 2 songs from the entire album. This is the only one so far that is INVIGORATING AND BRILLIANT in its entirety!"

East Meets West, Shall We Dance?

Sandra578 | United States | 05/23/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The versatile dancer will find that the traditional and the modern go hand in hand in this new CD. For those who like to slither and undulate across the floor or do some fast spins accompanied by serious hip-drops while knocking out a rhythm on the segat/finger cymbals, this is a dancer's album. If you are giving a house party or if chilling out is your thing, "BD Overdrive" is a must have for your music library. It's all here. Peace."