Album Notes

Middle-Earth Ensemble from San Diego, Ca creates a unique gypsy infused sound, inspired by music of the Mediterranean and Middle-East. Their music has fueled the hips of many a belly dancer in the Southern California area and worldwide. The latest CD "Passage" goes beyond what they they have achieved before, with more emphasis on original material, while continuing to draw on traditional and fusion styles as varied as Arabic, Turkish, Moorish, Spanish, Gypsy, Celtic, and Classical. The title track "Passage" includes Indian tablas and exemplifies the fusion that Middle-Earth has created, capturing an urgency and tension/release throughout its journey. Other notable tracks include "Mirayah's Veil" a dream-like ballad set to a chiftetelli and marked by harmonics of 12 string acoustic guitar and stirring vocals. Bellydance afficionados will surely recognize the new renditions of " Rompi Rompi" and "Tamr Henna". Another original "King Ramzy" will appeal to tribal belly dancers, and also includes a stunning re-mix as a bonus track. Two new drum solos appear with powerful, complex yet danceable arrangements. This release transcends the belly dance genre however, and includes a variety of styles and sounds that would be sure to please anyone interested in or curious about Middle-Eastern music.
Professionally recorded and mastered. and clocking in at over 74 minutes, this is a package that delivers.


Middle-Earth Ensemble:
Andy Villas-Boas- Bass, vocals, guitar
Anthony Sarain- Flute, saxophone, piccolo
Frank Lazzaro- Doumbeks, riqq, deff, zills, percussion
Michael Mesleh- Oud, guitar
Robert Rotzler- Violin, mandolin, viola

with:
Toonsee- oud on "Ottomar", “Rompi Rompi “and keyboard on "King Ramzy"
Remix on “King Ramzy (Toonsee Remix)
Jas Ahluwalia- Indian tablas on "Passage"


Produced by Middle-Earth Ensemble
Recorded and mixed by Jon Russo, CV Studios La Jolla. CA
Mastered by Sandy Solomon

Booking Info: contact Frank Lazzaro 760-703-1487
http://www.middleearthband.net