Album Notes

Middle eastern percussion meets the gypsy violin with this exciting live recording of improvisations between musicians and belly dancers.

This recording was made over several months of dance sessions in Topanga Canyon, Ca. Melanie Kareem teaches a weekly class that features live musicians. As a result, there were many oportunities for live interaction between the musicians and dancers. Over the weeks, a core group began to evolve to accompany the group of ladies--who ranged from 10-60. Mothers and daughters, all dressed in traditional Turkish/Gypsy clothing with headdresses, scarves, zills (the metalic hand castinets) and jewelery would come share a beautiful, sensual and feminine bonding experience in the canyon.

Musicians:
Jamie Papish------Middle Eastern Percussion
Ted Falcon--------Acoustic and Electric Violins
Melanie Kareem----Finger Cymbals, Zagareets, Sighs
David Martinelli--Arabic Tamborine, Frame Drum
Laura Wyrd--------Turkish Doumbek, Frame Drum
Jason Naylor------Bass Doumbek, Frame Drum
Scott Grusen------Cumbus (Turkish Banjo)on Track 2 & 4