Dance With Adam Basma
Recorded By
Artist

A Music Review By Shira

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Summary

Overall Rating: (on a scale of 1 to 5 stars)

This is an electronic, synthesized performance of assorted music from the Middle East. Some are folk songs, while others are classical Egyptian pieces. Several of the songs come from Iraq and Syria, so they capture the Arabic flavor while providing an appealing change-of-pace sound.

Most of the songs are shorter than 4 minutes, so they could be suitable choices for up-and-coming beginners or intermediates as well as more experienced dancers to use in performances.

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What I Liked, What I Didn't

What I Liked:

I enjoyed the use of Iraqi and Syrian music, which preserved the flavor of genuine Arabic music while providing a refreshing change of pace from the same old clichés.
The spirited, upbeat tone is enjoyable both for listening and for dancing.
Some of the songs are simple, while others are more complex. This makes some of the music suitable for newer performers, while providing other selections that allow experienced dancers to demonstrate their ability to work with more complex music.
The recording makes effective use of stereo effects. Music travels from one speaker to the other.
The CD label identifies the country of origin for the folk songs.

What I Didn't Like:

Except for Joelle, the songs were mostly high-energy and upbeat. It might have been nice to have a couple of ballads for contrast.
Aside from identifying the country of origin, the liner notes don't offer any further insight into the music. For example, they don't comment on what the lyrics are about.

The Chart

Overall Rating
Production Quality
Musicians' Skill
Suitability For Practice
Suitability For Performing
Educational Value
Packaging
Style	Electronic, synthesized sound playing Arabic music, including some folk songs from Iraq and Syria
Amount Of Music	33:58 minutes
List Price	$20.00
Cost Per Minute Of Music	59 cents/minute

Description

This music offers an enjoyable introduction to a side of Arabic music that many Oriental dance artists have not been exposed to: folk songs from Iraq and Syria. It also includes a drum solo and some selections in the classical Egyptian style, including the Oum Kalthoum song Alf Leyla Wa Leyla. The songs are played using electronic instruments, providing an up-to-date flavor for this traditional music.

Some of the songs are instrumentals, while others are vocals. For most of the songs, the style is energetic and upbeat. There is one slow, improvised piece. It's a little quirky that the same finale music appears on it five times, but that didn't really bother me.

You Will Probably Like This Collection If

You like Middle Eastern music, but prefer traditional songs over 20th-century compositions.
You're looking for change-of-pace Arabic music that stays true to the Middle Eastern style but offers songs that aren't widely used by dancers.
You like to use music with an electronic, synthesized sound.

This Music Probably Isn't Right for You If

You prefer traditional instruments instead of electronic, synthesized sound.
Only Egyptian music interests you. (There is some Egyptian-style music on here, but there are also other styles of Arabic music too.)

Songs Included

Song Title	Length	Nationality	MP3 Clip?	Translation?	Comments
Dance with Adam Basma	3:22		No	Instrumental	Varied speed rhythms. Strong flavor of Egyptian-style show. Best for experienced dancers.
Finale	:21		No	Instrumental	Echoes a piece of the melody from the first song.
Drum Solo	2:56		No	Instrumental	Several call & answer sections.
Finale	:21		No	Instrumental	Same as track 2
Talamin Bet Abouha	3:37	Iraq	Yes	No	6/8 rhythm. Lively, fun. One of my favorites on this CD.
Finale	:21		No	Instrumental	Same as track 2.
Joelle	1:53		No	Instrumental	Slow ayyoub with improvised melody line.
Maryamtane	4:15	Syria	No	No	Folkloric melody. Vocals.
Lama Rah Alsaber	3:38		No	No	Egyptian orchestral style.
Finale	:21		No	Instrumental	Same as track 2.
Ana Elmsakenah	4:34	Iraq	Yes	No	6/8 rhythm. Lots of fun. Maybe good for audience participation.
Ben Alasser	3:41	Iraq	No	No	Female vocal.
Alf Lelah	4:17	Egypt	Yes	No	Alf Leyla wa Leyla - a classical Egyptian song.
Finale	:21		No	Instrumental	Same as track 2.

Disclosures

I have never met Adam Basma, although we have occasionally corresponded over e-mail. He sent me a complimentary copy of this CD to review for my web site.

Contacting The Producer & Ordering The Music

<==Click here to order this video from Amazon.com in the U.S. Prices quoted in U.S. dollars.

<==Click here to order from Amazon.ca in Canada. Prices quoted in Canadian dollars.

<==Click here to order from Amazon.co.uk in the U.K. Prices quoted in British pounds.

Or, contact Adam Basma as follows:

Adam Basma Dance Company
1551 S. La Cienega Blvd.
Los Angeles, California 90035
U.S.A.

Email Address: adam@adambasma.com

Telephone: (+1) (323) 934-9493
Fax: (+1) (323) 525-0615

Dance With Adam Basma Recorded By Artist

A Music Review By Shira

Summary

What I Liked, What I Didn't

What I Liked:

What I Didn't Like:

The Chart

Description

You Will Probably Like This Collection If

This Music Probably Isn't Right for You If

Songs Included

Song Title

Length

Nationality

MP3 Clip?

Translation?

Comments

Disclosures

Contacting The Producer & Ordering The Music

Dance With Adam Basma
Recorded By
Artist