Putumayo MIDDLE EASTERN MUSIC

Putumayo presents Sahara Lounge, a mesmerizing album of laid-back fusions of traditional Middle Eastern melodies, rhythms and instrumentation with cutting edge electronica, hip-hop beats and remixes. Algerian rai, Berber music, Sufi chants, and Egyptian al-jeel meet dub, trip hop, break beats and funk resulting in a hypnotic and captivating vibe.
Sahara Lounge, which will be released on January 20th, 2004, is the latest in a caravan of successful Putumayo releases focusing on exciting new directions in world music, including World Lounge, Euro Lounge and Arabic Groove.
Sahara Lounge includes 6 rare and previously unreleased tracks. The work of the innovative Lebanese electronica duo Soap Kills has been available almost exclusively on their self-produced, unreleased demo recordings. Ramin Sakurai’s collaboration with Iranian artist Shiraz has never before been widely released. Nabiha Yazbeck’s “Astahel” has never been available outside of the Middle East until now. The Jasmon and Mohammed Mounir track “Hanina (Jasmon Mix)” is hot off the presses in Germany. Bahia El Idrissi’s “Arhil” has been heard only by the lucky few who managed to get a hold of the his rare Dutch release. Sahara Lounge also features a previously unreleased remix of the Nickodemus and Carol C. favorite “Cleopatra in NewYork.”
The exotic rhythms and melodies of the Middle East have long served as a muse for musical adventurers. Haunting desert blues of North Africa, soaring violins that buoy Egyptian song poems, trance-inducing Sufi chants, uplifting percussion of raks sharki (aka bellydance) and soulful strains of the Arabic oud are a few of the many different sounds flowing forth from the dunes, bazaars, streets, nightclubs and radios of the Middle East.

Titles include:
Sharif Shiraz
Nabiha Yazbeck Astahel
Bahia El Idrissi Arhil
Maya Nasri Khallini Biljao
Dahmane El Harrachi Ya Rayah
Soap Kills Dub4me
Nickodemus Cleopatra in New York
Yasser Habeeb Elama
Ilhan Ersahin Fly
Jasmon Hanina
Justin Adams Desert Road
Toufic Farroukh Lili S'en Fout

PUTU220 Available on CD $14.98 more info

Putumayo is pleased to present Arabic Groove, a cutting- edge collection of hip and danceable tracks from North Africa and the Middle East. Arabic Groove reveals the ways funk, hip-hop and dance have blended with Arabic music to create exciting new sounds. This forward-looking compilation features some of the most electrifying music filling fashionable nightclubs from Paris to Cairo, and includes remixes by Transglobal Underground, Volodia and Bill Laswell.
As with previous Putumayo releases New World Party, Mo' Vida and Cairo to Casablanca, Arabic Groove is an adventurous collection of contemporary world music featuring an irresistible blend that does not require the listener to understand the lyrics or comprehend the subtleties of the singing. This is clearly music for celebration and will keep people dancing for 1001 nights and more! After listening to the songs on Arabic Groove one could not be faulted for thinking that the word "funky" must be of Arabic derivation.

Tites include:
Abdel Ali Slimani Moi et Toi
Abdy Galbi
Dania Leiley (Transglobal Underground Mix)
Amr Diab Amarain
Hisham Abbas Hely Meli
Hamid el Shaeri Hely Meli
Fadela & Sahraoui Mani
Natacha Atlas Kidda
Khaled Mauvais Sang
Sawt el Atlas Ne Me Jugez Pas (Volodia Remix)
Cheb Tarik L'histoire

PUTU189 Available on CD $14.98 more info

North Africa has always been a source of fascination to people from other parts of the world, yet it remains one of the most misunderstood regions. Everyone from Emperors (Napoleon) to rock stars (The Rolling Stones & Led Zeppelin) have traveled to North Africa to explore and, in many cases, exploit the cultural and physical riches of this diverse and prolific region. While the terrain from Egypt to Morocco is arid and often barren, it supports one of the most musically fertile regions of the world. A rich classical tradition is joined by unique and surprisingly vibrant modern music evolving from traditional and folk expressions. From the bubbling funk of Algerian rai to the entrancing polyrhythms of the Moroccan Gnawa, sophisticated Egyptian pop to rootsy Nubian soul, the music of North Africa has much to offer.

Titles include:
Rachid Taha Ya Rayah
Ali Hassan Kuban Mabrouk Wo Arisna
Khaled Ki Kounti
Raina Rai Dikra
Sharkiat Nahawand
Idir Zwit Rwit
Maurice El Médiouni Ya Maalem
Rasha Leali
Jamshied Sharifi & Hassan Hakmoun Through The Veil
Kadda Cherif Hadria Madanitche

PUTU143 Available on CD $14.98 more info