This 2-CD set contains over two and a half hours of beautiful original American music with Middle Eastern influences. It is a fabulous tool for dance teachers and students alike who can refer to the CD back for a quick ref... more »erence to the length and rhythm of each song. Desert Wind is famous for world beat music with jazz, classical, and progressive rock influences. This CD set was made in response to dancer requests, and the rhythms include chiftitelli, ayoub (zaar), maqsoum, bolero, slow, medium and fast beladis, funky ayoub, masmoudi, maqsoum, khaleegy, slow and fast karsilama, saidi-swing, libi-rock, celtic jig, saidi-rock, India slow 7/4, tribal waltz, etho-rock, Mid-East funk, and Latin 6/8. With an amazing blend of instruments and rhythms, this music is both uplifting and relaxing! Whether for dance or listening, Desert Wind's "World Dance" is work of art. This album includes a special guest appearance by violinist Doug Adams from Light Rain. It features awesome drum solos, passionate world rhythms, enchanting melodies and exquisite flute work. CD one is exclusively instrumental in response to dancers' requests, and there are songs with moving lyrics on CD 2. This CD set is not for dancers looking exclusively for the pure Egyptian genre. Yet hundreds of modern dance and belly dance professionals have acclaimed the World Dance (2 CD Set) as a "highly recommended" and "must have" addition for any music collection.« less
This 2-CD set contains over two and a half hours of beautiful original American music with Middle Eastern influences. It is a fabulous tool for dance teachers and students alike who can refer to the CD back for a quick reference to the length and rhythm of each song. Desert Wind is famous for world beat music with jazz, classical, and progressive rock influences. This CD set was made in response to dancer requests, and the rhythms include chiftitelli, ayoub (zaar), maqsoum, bolero, slow, medium and fast beladis, funky ayoub, masmoudi, maqsoum, khaleegy, slow and fast karsilama, saidi-swing, libi-rock, celtic jig, saidi-rock, India slow 7/4, tribal waltz, etho-rock, Mid-East funk, and Latin 6/8. With an amazing blend of instruments and rhythms, this music is both uplifting and relaxing! Whether for dance or listening, Desert Wind's "World Dance" is work of art. This album includes a special guest appearance by violinist Doug Adams from Light Rain. It features awesome drum solos, passionate world rhythms, enchanting melodies and exquisite flute work. CD one is exclusively instrumental in response to dancers' requests, and there are songs with moving lyrics on CD 2. This CD set is not for dancers looking exclusively for the pure Egyptian genre. Yet hundreds of modern dance and belly dance professionals have acclaimed the World Dance (2 CD Set) as a "highly recommended" and "must have" addition for any music collection.
"As a Professional Performer and teacher with 25 years teaching experience and nearly 30 on stage, as well as owner/editor of an international Belly Dance Magazine, I highly recommend this CD. World Dance is one of the unique CD's (2 CD Set) that has something for everyone. From the performer's perspective I use multiple pieces (Tabla Rocka, Mirage, Om Tara, Sarasvati, Raj Drums, Byr Demet, Lotus Dancer and Passion Drums). As a teacher - - I use the entire compilation as there are a number of specific rythms/speeds as well as moods to work with. I am predominantly an Egyptian Stylist, however, Desert Wind's World Music with serious Middle Eastern rhythms (Ayoub, Khaleegy, Karsilma, Beladi, Maqsoum) truly inspires me - reaching the dancer's soul. I can't keep this on the shelf in my studio - - my students "fans" of Desert Wind as well. Congratulations on another spectacular release (2-CD Set) Desert Wind!
"
Moving - In More Ways Than One!
Parthena Black | Oklahoma | 12/14/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I received this about a month ago and haven't stopped playing it or dancing to it. I wanted this CD for belly dance, but it's so much more than that. In fact, if you're just building your music library as I am for belly dance, this may not be the best choice as one of your early selections if you want to shimmy to bounce all the coins off the belt - but it's still a must-have. Desert Wind's music is very flowing and enables the dancer's moves to merge with the music. This isn't just another new age CD - this band has their own unique sound. I honestly believe that if someone played one of their songs that I haven't heard before, I could identify them.
The rhythms are somewhat slow - not a lot of 'shimmy 'til your butt falls off' drumming here although there are some great medium/fast beats and an out of this world drum solo! The beats are strong and very easy to dance to. It is perfect for warm-ups and for taxim and slow moves with the veil or sword. I really love this music for spiritually focused dance or moving meditation. Best of all, it's suitable for just listening. It's both relaxing and uplifting at the same time.
The music on this CD moves the soul as well as the body. It is deep, beautiful and glorious - especially CD #2, which actually has a Middle Eastern rendition of Amazing Grace! If you're into or open to the Goddess, songs such as "Om Tara," "Sarasvati," "Mother of Light" and "Your Light Comes Through" are all incredible for devotion or for just feeling immersed in spirit. "I Am" is also very nice and the dramatic haunting beauty of "La Llarona" can not be put into words. It can bring one to tears, especially if you are familiar with the legend.
Desert Wind ends the collection with the hilarious, bluesy "Metaphysical Blues." There are over two hours of music for the price of one CD here. Highly recommended for moving body, mind and soul!"
East Meets West in a Great Way
Saqra Raybuck | Seattle | 03/29/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I've long been familiar with the music of Desert Wind, and in fact used a cut from this CD in my own belly dance educational DVD series (the "Power Flute" cut).
The rhythms throughout the CD are correct and clear Mediterranean rhythms and the instrumentation is full and powerful and runs a full range from almost rock-n-roll to the almost painfully etherial.
The flautist, Andalin, is just incredible. She can wring gorgeous lyrical work or hard, hot POWER work out of what is usually considered a very soft instrument --- check out their "Flute Fest" album if you like this.
The best thing about this album is how quickly my students and audiences respond to this world/crossover style.
This isn't traditional music for party style belly dance... it is more like music for a powerful, more spiritually focused relation to belly dance.
Enjoy!"
Thank you so much.
Saqra Raybuck | 11/16/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I was very happy when my Mom gave me this 2 CD set. I couldn't belive all of the fabulous music on it!!! This is a happy time, and I will remember it for a very long time. THANK you to all of you who managed to find my Mom! :)"
2 for the price of one
Susan Rose | Pittsburgh, PA USA | 03/27/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"32 delightful music tracks that are enough for all your dance students to pick one, and have a Desert-Wind Show! These songs are better than the "World Music", (much of the World Music I have heard of others is primitive and with no melody) This music is a masterpiece of remaking middle eastern traditional rhythms into a hi tech fusion to move your soul. If this is your first experience with middle eastern rhythms, be forewarned that nothing else in the purist (?) sense of these rhythms will sound as good to you. This music was specially created to have a timely end, so all your dance sisters will have an nearly equal time on stage. For a longer track for your featured dancer, you may want to consider Spider Woman on Shekhina, Hebrew Goddess (Restoring the Balance)"