{"id":3587,"date":"2011-12-17T16:15:27","date_gmt":"2011-12-17T23:15:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/?p=3587"},"modified":"2011-12-17T16:41:34","modified_gmt":"2011-12-17T23:41:34","slug":"catherine-barros-ramzy-sax-cd-reivews","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/2011\/12\/17\/catherine-barros-ramzy-sax-cd-reivews\/","title":{"rendered":"A Whole Lot of Sax Going On!"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Sax<\/p>\n

A Review of 2 CDs from Hossam Ramzy Featuring Saxophone Music
\nAfrah Baladi with Mostafa Sax<\/h2>\n

CD Reviews by Catherine Barros<\/a>
\nposted December 14, 2011<\/span><\/h3>\n

The saxophone was popularized in beledi music starting in the 1970s. Although I wasn’t introduced to Middle Eastern music until the \u201880s, I believe the first recordings I happened upon featured Samir Sourour<\/span>. \u00a0\u00a0In the 1990s, \u00a0Hossam Ramzy<\/span> had the opportunity to work with 2 other Egyptian sax players and has produced these 2 CDs with original compositions \u00a0and classical\/traditional folkloric pieces.<\/p>\n

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\u201cAhlamy – Baladi Saxophone with Rafat Misso and Hossam Ramzy\u201d
\n(Copyright 2008) -Originally released in 1996.<\/p>\n

The first CD, "Ahlamy", has been available for purchase for 15 years and has probably garnered many fans during that time. \u00a0When I first started listening to this, I did think it was a new release \u00a0and then found the date from the CD information was 1996 and that this recording is a re-release with a new cover. \u00a0My first take on this was that no new ground had been covered. However, after re-considering this, \u00a0it might warrant a first or second look for many dancers. \u00a0<\/p>\n

Some of the keyboard instrumental segments might sound a bit dated to some ears but the selections cover an inclusive range. (However, I am not a keyboard fan myself.) Due to my love of accordion music, I am most likely going to be attracted to the pieces that have accordion sections. \u00a0"El Hanim" along with "El Sama Billey l" (both composed by Rafat) are my 2 favorites because I like the use of the accordion along with the saxophone. \u00a0\u00a0The versions of "Sallam Allay" and "Ya Tamr Henna" that have been included are quite satisfactory. \u00a0"Ala Rimsh Oyounha Abilt Hawa" was a bit too fast for my taste but probably will appeal to another dancer–as will the other selections available ("Lamma Ramtna El Eyin", "El Shouma", and "El Baladi Youkal").<\/p>\n\n\n
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Rating:  3 zils
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\u201cAfrah Baladi with Mostafa Sax\u201d
\n(Copyright 2010) – originally released in 1994 as "Hayati – Best of Egyptian Belly Dance Music"<\/p>\n

The 2nd CD, "Afrah Baladi", likewise, has been available for quite awhile. This is also a re-release under a new cover. \u00a0<\/p>\n

Although I didn’t find anything on this CD that excited me enough to get up to dance and start planning a performance, \u00a0I do feel that the longer selections on this CD would be motivating for practice. \u00a0In particular, "Eddalla ya Rashidi" (9:20), "Henneya" (9:43) and "Raqs el-Khail" (8:28) are all long enough for use in a class. \u00a0Each has its drum rhythm coming through clearly, which I think is quite helpful for any student. \u00a0Also, the longer pieces could be used for a troupe performance that \u00a0would need extra time (for managing several dancers\u2019 movements around the stage). <\/p>\n

"Sunset in the Sahara" might inspire a dancer to bring out her sword because it is played at a pleasantly slow and sensuous tempo that calls for floor-work or sword. \u00a0"Afrah Baladi" is a bit more versatile as it has an unusually slow start with a 2 minute taxim, progressing into a medium tempo that speeds up and then finishes off with 1 1\/2 minute drum section. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0"Farah Amira" is similar to "Afrah Baladi" without the drum section at the end–and they both are approximately 7 minutes in play time.<\/p>\n

Rating: 2 zills
\n\"Zil<\/span><\/p>\n

In Conclusion:<\/span>
\nI feel that both of these CDs have music that is usable for performance or classroom work, depending on your personal musical tastes. \u00a0They are definitely worth a listen–if saxophone music \u00a0appeals to you. I spent extra time this weekend wandering around the Internet and Amazon Plus E-music, searching and listening to some other recorded saxophone music. <\/p>\n

Perhaps one of the best ways to use a review is to allow it to stimulate and motivate dancers to listen to other music! \u00a0<\/p>\n

\"use<\/p>\n

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Have a comment? Use or comment section at the bottom of this page or Send us a letter!<\/a>
\nCheck the "Letters to the Editor<\/a>" for other possible viewpoints!<\/p>\n

Ready for more?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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