Student Resources: Music

Something we want to say about music:

The new stuff that is coming out is great. They are combining the classics with techno and other forms of music. New age music with a Middle Eastern feel is available and great to dance to. However..... remember that most performances are going to be for audiences that will require you to dance to the classics. You will need to develop an ear for the style and intricacies of the music in order to be able to dance to it. Don't just stick with contemporary "new style" music.... you will end up totally lost when the live band begins to play. :)

Artist and Album Recommendations

Solace: Rhythm of the Dance. This is the album you hear the most in class. It has good basic beats that allow you to work on your moves without worrying about the music changing tempo on you. This album also available on i-Tunes.

Other recommended albums: Ahsas and Gathering Season.

Issam: The Dancing Drum. This album has lots of great rhythms played just with a tabla! He plays them metronome steady and perfect. You could not ask for tracks better to drill moves or zills with. Another must have for any music library.

George Abdo: The Magic Of Belly Dancing, The Art of Belly Dancing... and all his other albums. Nothing needs to be said about Abdo... he simply is classic belly dance music. :) Every album is a winner. This album also available on i-Tunes.

Dr. Samy Farag: Midnight Magic. This album also available on i-Tunes.

Dolphina: Music From The Goddess Workout. This is also occasionally used in class. This album also available on i-Tunes.

Tarkan: Karma, and the self-titled album Tarkan. Middle Eastern / Turkish pop / Turkish top 40. This album also available on i-Tunes.

Govinda: Erotic Rhythms from Earth. Nice trance like practice music - we use it for veil practice, but I would not recommend it for a performance.

Light Rain: Try their albums Dark Fire and Dream Dancer. More of their albums are available via Mesmera's site.

Emad Sayyah: Teh Best Of Arabian Belly dance and the Modern Belly dance Music series. Most of his belly dance stuff is a good bet. (Lebanese.)

Natacha Atlas: Ayeshteni. Occasionally played in class. She is perky and fun. (The song everyone loves is "I Put a Spell on You".)

Hossam Ramzy: We recommend Sabla Tolo for your drum solo needs. Other favorite albums include Secrets of the Eye and Immortal Egypt. This album also available on i-Tunes.

Salatin El Tarab Orchestra: Arabian Classics for Belly Dance.

Various Artists: Arabia Remixed. Fun album with techno remixes of popular Egyptian songs. Listening to it won't help you learn middle eastern rhythms, but it is fun to practice shimmy drills to.

Various Artists: Music Of The Ghawazee. Made on location in Egypt in the 70's and is excellent for folkloric dance.

Various Artists: Belly Dance Superstars - Volumes 1 and 2. Great album with all the current belly dance favorites both contemporary and classic. These albums also available on i-Tunes.

Cassandra of Minneapolis has published an excellent list of 15 Middle eastern songs every belly dancer should know on Dahlal International's site. This site has the songs broken down into opening numbers, midsection pieces and finales. As an added bonus you can purchase the CDs off of Dahlal's site. Take advantage of this reference site!

Random: Do a search on Amazon, i-Tunes or E-bay for "belly dance". Maqam Music also has lots of great music.
You will come up with lots of stuff!