The rough guide to the best Arabic music you've never heard
The rough guide to Arabic café
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Reviews (2)
AllMusic
2014
By
By
Chris Nickson
2014
"Although it veers toward Middle Eastern jazz on a couple of cuts, by and large this is a very rooted album that keeps the sensibilities close to a Maghrebi sunset, superbly programmed and compiled, a very strong showcase of the music of the Middle East, old and new".
fRoots
2014 April
By
By
Jim Hickson
2014 April
"The two tracks that work most effectively here are Isfahan by Daramad and Tahrir by Ramzi Aburedwan. Daramad bring a jazzy feel to Persian classical music in a sympathetic and effective manner (although their inclusion in an "Arabic" compilation is slightly confusing) while Aburedwan's tight ensemble of buzuk, accordeon, oud and percussion present some positively hip-shaking Palestinian sounds. Also packaged with this album is the Jordanian folk ensemble Dozan's 2008 release Introducing Dozan. This bonus album actually seems to fit the idea of the "Arabic Café" somewhat better than the Rough Guide itself, filled with relaxed yet interesting and authentically Arabic pieces".