| Putumayo Presents: North African Groove | 
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Avg. Customer Rating:   (based on 10 reviews)
Sales Rank: 38955
Category: Music
Artist: Various Artists
Publisher: Putumayo World Music
Studio: Putumayo World Music
Manufacturer: Putumayo World Music
Label: Putumayo World Music
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.1
Dimensions (in): 5.5 x 5 x 0.5
MPN: 237
UPC: 790248023724
EAN: 0079024802372
ASIN: B00080Z75U
Release Date: June 20, 2005
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Tracks:
| • | Montuno Norteno - Jomed | | • | Aal Eah - Samira Said, | | • | Nour el Ain - Amr Diab | | • | Si Tu le Veux - Faudel | | • | Mot de Toi - Rhany | | • | Dis-Moi Pourquoi - Amina | | • | Bahebbak - Cheb Jilani | | • | Sidi - Hamid Baroudi, Hamid Baroudi | | • | Ya-Rayi - Khaled | | • | Viens Habibi - Cheb Mami | | • | Hanina - Mohamed Mounir, | | • | On the Ride - Eastenders, Shady Sheha |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Album Description
With the Mediterranean Sea to the north and the Sahara Desert to the south, North Africa serves as a crossroad between many cultures. The Atlantic coast of Morocco forms the Western boundary of North Africa and the Suez Canal in Egypt its eastern end. Most of North Africa is known as the Maghreb and includes the countries of Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Libya. Egypt, which is generally considered part of the Middle East, is geographically part of North Africa. Echoes of ancient history can still be heard in the rhythms and melodies of North Africa?s popular music. While electronic drum beats, disco and funk-inspired grooves, hip-hop and other Western influences are clearly apparent in the modern music of the region, traditional instrumentation, singing techniques and melodies play an important role in defining the local sound. The two best known types of popular music from North Africa are rai and al-jil. Rai means "opinion" in Arabic, and it developed in the Algerian port city of Oran in the 1950s and 60s. Rai is the North African equivalent of rock and roll and is now popular throughout the Maghreb and in Arabic communities around the world. Al-jil is Egyptian party music. While rai and al-jil still form the core of popular North African music, Moroccan Gnawa trance, Touareg blues, Berber folk and Afro-Nubian rhythms are some of the exotic local flavors that have influenced the region?s music. In recent years, the French cities of Paris and Marseilles have become important production centers for North African music, and many popular artists are beginning to create songs that target their own communities as well as a wider French market. Meanwhile, European DJs and producers have collaborated with artists from the region, and the influences of electronica and European club music are ever more evident.
Amazon.com
You'd be forgiven if, after listening to North African Groove, the seventh release in Putumayo's dance floor-ready "Groove" series, you imagined that the world was getting smaller. In highlighting the diversity in contemporary Arabic music, the 12 eclectic tracks here gather influences from far beyond North Africa--from the Gypsy Kings-style flamenco touches of Egyptian Amr Diab's "Nour Al Ain" to the old-style Cuban salsa of Jomed's "Montuno Noreno" to the French-style accordion that enlivens the funky Rai of Cheb Mami's "Viens Habibi." Of course, this being a compilation with "Groove" in the title, most everything has club beats that could come from anywhere, although everything is filtered through a North African lens. A case in point is Rai--the backbeat-heavy style from Algeria that mixes American funk with Arabic instruments and melodies and which is ably represented here by Algerian superstar Khaled's "Aicha" and "Ya-Rayi," as well as the less familiar (to Western ears, anyway) Rhany and Faudel. Perhaps most surprising though is the link bared between North Africa and Latin America--which might seem unexpected until one considers the Moorish influence on Spanish music and the Spanish influence on Latin music, proving that no, the world isn't getting smaller: it's always been that way. --Ezra Gale
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| Customer Reviews: Read 5 more reviews...
 Another Foray into Arab Africa June 18, 2008
Another one of world music label Putumayo's regional compilations exploring the music of North Africa, this CD has everything you've come to expect from a Putumayo compilation. Focusing on some of the big regional names in Arabic pop music, as well as cross cultural fusion, this album will not doubt be of great interest to anyone who enjoys Middle Eastern/North African music. As could be expected, Algerian Rai plays a big part on this album, including the hot track 'Ya-Rayi' from Khaled's most recent album, but Faudel, Cheb Mami and Libya's Cheb Jilani all make contributions as well. Egyptian pop music is the other big influence here, with Amr Diab's hit 'Nour el Ain' and Algerian-born pop star Sameera Said. Another pop star, Tunisia's Amina, contributes the lovely French-language song 'Dis Moi Pourquoi,' and theres a Nubian song by Mohammed Mounir. More modern traces can be heard in Hamid Baroudi's Algerian electronica, the Latin-Arab stylings of Jomed, and the Eastender's cross-cultural fusion. All in all, if your looking for some more Arabic-tinged grooves from North Africa, then this CD is well worth checking out. It's great listening for the Summer.
Great Music by Terrific Artists August 31, 2007
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
Putumayo CDs rarely disappoint, and this one surely does not. Those familiar with Middle Eastern artists will be pleased to hear tracks from Faudel, Amr Diab, Khaled and Cheb Mami. Those *not* familiar with them are in for a treat. North African Groove features musicians from Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia and Libya. You will also hear cross-cultural influences, with some of the songs having a Latin influence, or French. Simply stated, this is good music, great for dancing at a party or just to enjoy. Some are even of interest to belly dancers; I've seen Amina's track, "Dis-Moi Pourquoi" performed by a dance troupe. Do yourself a favor, get this CD, introduce it to your friends, and turn the world on to what great music the Middle East has to offer. (As an added benefit, a portion of the proceeds will be donated by Putumayo to Search for Common Ground.)
 comme ci comme ca June 14, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
From Putumayo, I'd expected something a bit more "ethnic" but a couple of the tunes were just pop tunes. A couple of the cuts are great!
One of the better Putumayo CDs December 14, 2006
2 out of 4 found this review helpful
Luckily, my local library stocks most of the Putumayo CDs, so I can try them out before I buy them. I have found the Putumayo CDs to be hit or miss. I love some and don't care for others. This is one of my favorites. Along with the World Groove, African Groove, South Islands Groove and Women of Africa.
A Middle Eastern mixed bag September 27, 2006
15 out of 15 found this review helpful
I enjoyed "Arabic Groove";after 5 years,it is still marvelous."Sahara Lounge" is the best of Putumayo's Arabic compilations."Cairo to Casablanca" is the worst of Putumayo's Arabic compilations;it has too many repetitive songs.
Where does that put "North African Groove"?Somewhere in the middle.It's neither an absolute bore,but it's better combined with other Arabic albums and put on random shuffle.
Jomed's opening "Montuno Noreno" spicily combines Cuban&North African music,as well as electric effects.Samira Saeid's "Aal Eah" is a great dance song;she's the Moroccan equivalent of Britney Spears,but MUCH better.Amina's "Dis-Moi Pourquoi" has a great beat.Cheb Jilani's "Bahebbak"is a danceable love song.Hamid Baroudi's "Sidi" is disappointing;it's repetitive&dull,unlike his "Caravan II Baghdad" on Putumayo's out-of-print "New World Party" as well as his mesmerizing "Trance Dance" on Putumayo's still in print "World Lounge."Khaled's "Ya-Rayi" shows the "King of Rai" in top form.It's infectious.Cheb Mami's "Viens Habibi" is alright,but the "Prince of Rai" has done much,much better on his albums "Meli Meli"&"Saida." In this song,his sound is too Westernized;it fit in Sting's "Desert Rose" (his ululations made that song exotic),but this time his music is rendered dull.Mohamed Mounir's "Hanina" is excellent,bringing in Nubian rhyth,s.If you're curious,a remix of it by Jasmon is on Putumayo's "Sahara Lounge." It was interesting on my 5-CD player to first hear the Jasmon remix of "Hanina",then the original,thinking,"I've heard this before!"
"North African Groove" is a good introduction to Arabic music.If you want to hear some GREAT Arabic music,listen to Natacha Atlas and Cheb Mami.It's a musical world worth exploring.
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