CD Review: The Spy From Cairo's 'Arabadub'

The Spy From Cairo
Arabadub
Wonderwheel

The Arabic dub sounds from Zeb--The Spy From Cairo--are poignant, classical, and modern. The danceable songs are mostlyinstrumental and loaded with twists and turns to keep your feet involved and your ears tuned in without tiring. This is amazing music for the dub aficionado and Middle Eastern beat fan. The music is energetic and contains strings and typical percussion indicative of Egyptian ensembles and other like-minded groups. The danceable beats and cinematic appeal is suspense-driven and never dull. The raw flutes, heady percussion, and electronic palette of aural color is prevalent and excellently-executed. Zeb is a great innovator and purveyor of world music and dub music forms in particular. Nothing is too difficult for Zeb and Arabadub proves it. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Various Artists - 'Yoga Lounge'

Various Artists

Yoga Lounge

White Swan Records

Ready for a magic yoga mat ride of danceable energy? Then direct your ears to White Swan Records' Yoga Lounge. This new compilation features a collection of twelve tracks and remixes of Deva Premal, Karsh Kale, Zeb, Adham Shaikh, Jai Uttal, Vishal Vaid, DJ Alsultany, Midival Punditz, Huun Huur Tu, and others. All tracks are compiled by DJ Alsultany. There are some more meditative moments on the album, but the majority of the music is more contemporary with modern arrangements and a mix of traditional instruments, too. A mix of dance, techno, electronica, and pop elements define Yoga Lounge. Of course, various ethnic components related to South Asia are present. The soundscapes are somewhat reminiscent of a suspense film soundtrack or score. At any rate, Yoga Lounge is cool enough for everyone. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: The Spy From Cairo

The Spy From Cairo

Secretly Famous

Wonderwheel Recordings

Originally from Italy, The Spy From Cairo is trans-global groovemaster extraordinaire Moreno Visini. There are little musical references to Italy on this album, but the dub-grooves and traditional instrumentation reflect a purely North African/Middle Eastern origin. The Spy From Cairo plays several instruments including bass, oud, saz, darbouka, keyboards, and ciftelli (two-stringed lute). A stand-out guest vocalist adds her Tunisian presence on "Ana Arabi", "Jennaty", and "Blood and Honey". Additionally, the mizmar and nay flute adds a good amount of musical fluidity on "Nayphony". Secretly Famous is a dub-fest for a new generation. There is a nice mix of original songs and remixes/tributes to great musicians from Egypt including Farid Al Atrache and Mohamed Abdel Wahab. The end result is an Afro-dub sound with an abundance of creativity, musicianship, and cultural awareness. Secretly Famous won't be secret much longer; once the addictive sounds make their way online, on the radio, and in the clubs. ~ Matthew Forss