Cairo to Casablanca

Amazon.com
Compilations of readily available music are rarely satisfying, and sometimes the more they try to have a theme the less satisfying they become. The Putumayo series certainly falls prey to this often, but this particular set has risen above the mass. Editors Hamid Zagzoule and Jacob Edgar have an understanding of North Africa, and provide intelligent liner notes on the artists and the music. Some selections were obvious: Khaled, Rachid Taha, Ali Hassan Kuban, and up-and-coming star Rasha. Others are new names for most listeners. On the pop side is Algerian Kadda Cherif Hadria, whose use of a light jazz piano mixed with more traditional sounds works well to showcase an excellent voice. Sharkiat also use jazz with a slightly harder edge to enhance their Nubian sound. The set follows through with artists that provide a pop-side look at the music of Algeria, Sudan, Morocco, and Egypt. The music here is intelligent and pleasant, but nothing really gets deep into the root. This is easy listening from the Maghreb. --Louis Gibson

Cairo to Casablanca,Various Artists,Putumayo World Music,Africa,Afro-Pop,Int'l & World Music,Pop,Worldbeat

Average customer rating: Sleeping on the caravan Mediterranean Music rules my life. Good except for AWFUL "Rasha" Excellent North African anthology Excellent Compilation

Cairo to Casablanca Various Artists Manufacturer: Putumayo World Music ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Africa | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music Arabic | Middle East | International | Styles | Music Middle East & North Africa | Compilations | International | Styles | Music General | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music International | Putumayo World Music Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: A Mediterranean Odyssey: Athens To Andalucia Arabic Groove Putumayo Presents: Sahara Lounge Putumayo Presents: North African Groove Music From the Tea Lands ASIN: B000009Q7D Release Date: 1998-08-25

Tracks:

1. Ya Rayah - Rachid Taha
2. Mabrouk Wo Arisna - Ali Hassan Kuban
3. Ki Kounti - Khaled
4. Dikra - Raina Rai
5. Nahawand - Sharkiat
6. Zwit Rwit - Idir
7. Ya Maalem - Maurice El Mediouni
8. Leali - Rasha
9. Through The Veil - Jamshied Sharifi, Hassan Hakmoun
10. Madanitche - Kadda Cherif Hadria

Amazon.com

Compilations of readily available music are rarely satisfying, and sometimes the more they try to have a theme the less satisfying they become. The Putumayo series certainly falls prey to this often, but this particular set has risen above the mass. Editors Hamid Zagzoule and Jacob Edgar have an understanding of North Africa, and provide intelligent liner notes on the artists and the music. Some selections were obvious: Khaled, Rachid Taha, Ali Hassan Kuban, and up-and-coming star Rasha. Others are new names for most listeners. On the pop side is Algerian Kadda Cherif Hadria, whose use of a light jazz piano mixed with more traditional sounds works well to showcase an excellent voice. Sharkiat also use jazz with a slightly harder edge to enhance their Nubian sound. The set follows through with artists that provide a pop-side look at the music of Algeria, Sudan, Morocco, and Egypt. The music here is intelligent and pleasant, but nothing really gets deep into the root. This is easy listening from the Maghreb. --Louis Gibson

Customer Reviews:

Sleeping on the caravan.......2006-06-15

This is Putumayo's first "Odyssey" album,surprisingly,it is still in print(!) It explores the acoustic side of Middle Eastern music.Unfortunately,it's quite repetitive."Ya Malaam"&"Zwit Rit" go on.And on.

Khaled,as usual,is great in "Ki Kounti." Rasha's "Leila" is not THAT bad;it's hypnotic instead of boring."Nahawand"&"Through the Veil" are North African jazz.Like some smooth jazz, this album falls into the trap of being repetitive.

"Cairo to Casablanca" ended up being an album I eventually took to a used CD store.Perhaps someone else will enjoy it.I didn't.

Mediterranean Music rules my life........2006-06-05

Another good CD. This is a blend of Middle East and North African music. If you like the Mediterranean groove buy this CD, also check out Afro Latino by Putumayo series, they are all very good. Actually these recordings were the ones who got me interested in moving to Morocco. Get yourself a seductive Mediterranean girl and dance to the beat. Buy it you will remember me.

Good except for AWFUL "Rasha".......2006-03-17

The first seven selections on this CD are quite enjoyable and atmospheric. Makes me sort of want to get up and belly dance. Then we get to the eighth cut and it is excruciating. This is by an Algerian artist named "Rasha" who performs her composition "Leali." This is just meandering up and down the scale. All I could think of was Arnold Schoenberg Goes Arabic. It is nerve-wracking. I have managed to sit through that one twice, but I will never do so again by choice. This is so awful that it ruins the whole CD. The remaining three selections are probably not bad, but listening to Rasha just puts me in such a bad mood that it's difficult to listen to the rest of the CD. After Rasha, I'm just ready for this CD to be over. If I were technical minded enough to figure out how to program my player to skip Rasha I might like this CD. But as it stands now, I don't think I'll be listening to this one again within the next few years.

Excellent North African anthology.......2005-03-26

Putumayo has 3 excellent Mahgreb region/North African music anthologies, "Cairo to Casablanca", "Arabic Groove," and "Sahara Lounge." Although these feature Arabic societies, the music is not really Arabic, but rather reflects the eclectic mix of people, cultures and history of North Africa (languages from French to Berber come up in these three CDs). For instance listening to El Mediouni's "Ya Maallem, I'm struck by the similarity in rhythm, harmony, and melody to music of other Mediterranean cultures (and what a beautiful trumpet solo on this piece, obviously the piston trumpet not originally a product of North Africa!). Putumayo anthologies are thoughtfully constructed, the artists are all stars from their respective countries, and the songs are ordered to listen to from start to finish (like LP records used to be). World music fans, by definition, like variety, and "Cairo to Casablanca" is different. The haunting sound of North Africa melodies (I think the distinctive sound comes from harmonic minor scales based on the 5th note of the scale instead of the root)is at once exotic and soothing. Fix yourself and some friends up with a hookah, Moroccan mint tea, a couscous-tagine dinner, add this CD and say: "ssalamu'lekum!" (Peace be with you). lla yhennik !

Excellent Compilation.......2004-02-08

I was looking for a compliation of this exact geographic area and this CD hits the spot. Excellent combination - well done!

Average customer rating:

From Cairo to Casablanca Various Artists Manufacturer: Musicrama/Koch ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | International | Styles | Music Arabic | Middle East | International | Styles | Music ASIN: B00005M99V Release Date: 2001-05-01

Tracks:

1. Weghalawtac - Amir Diab
2. Masakin - Ihab Tawfic
3. Wana Wana Amel Eh - Hisham Abbas
4. Minen - Salwa Abou Greisha & Aly Cuban
5. Enadeia - Mohamed Mounir
6. Min Oyounak - Hamid Al Shari
7. Lamma Yegeeboo Seertak - Latifa
8. Ergah Lehayatak - Warda
9. Kifach Nisa Souad - Cheb Khaled
10. Jit Par Hasard - Mouloud Esghir
11. Eaa Saharny - Samira Saed

Average customer rating:

From Cairo to Casablanca Various Artists Manufacturer: EMI/Virgin ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | International | Styles | Music International | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B00005A1MM Release Date: 2000-01-01

Tracks:

1. Weghalawtac - Amir Diab
2. Masakin - Ihab Tawfic
3. Wana Wana Amel Eh - Hisham Abbas
4. Minen - Salwa Abou Greisha & Aly Cuban
5. Enadeia - Mohamed Mounir
6. Min Oyounak - Hamid Al Shari
7. Lamma Yegeeboo Seertak - Latifa
8. Ergah Lehayatak - Warda
9. Kifach Nisa Souad - Cheb Khaled
10. Jit Par Hasard - Mouloud Esghir
11. Eaa Saharny - Samira Saed

Album Details

These Contemporary Songs Will Take You on a North African Odyssey, Crossing Musical Bounadaries from Egypt to Morocco. This Collection features the Most Important Current Stars from this Musically Rich Region. It Includes Egypt's Superstar Hisham Abbas, Algeria's Cheb Mami, Min Oyounak (Libya) and Several More.

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International Music

International Music