Afro | Brasil |
Calypso |
Exotica-Foreign |
Latin | Mid-East
Jazz | Funk LP | Funk 45
Beatnik-Crime-Spy
Pop-Rock-Strange | 45s
Moog-Space-Electronic
Truck-C&W-Steel
to orderLinks below are to the Hyp Records guide to records & artists:
Pertinent records listed & rated:
See the Vinyl Safari section for the main Mid-East page plus others on major stars: Mohammed El-Bakkar, Eddie Kochak, Ozel Turkbas, Gus Vali.
See also the page on Mid-East jazz, -funk, -rock ("East-meets-West" hybrids).
Only Hip Wax items are for sale!
George Abdo & his Flames of Araby: The Art of Belly Dancing; Monitor MFS-752; 1973; sealed [w/instruction booklet] S $20 -- major classic by one of the leading lights of authentic belly dance music
George Abdo & his Flames of Araby: The Magic of Belly Dancing; Monitor MFS-803; 1979; E-/N S $15 -- last in the series; one of his best & hardest to find; Raks el Malek, Sahirrnee (bolero), Raks el Sehr, Raks Zeina..
Ahmed Abdul-Malik w/Johnny Griffin: Jazz Sahara--Middle-Eastern Music; Riverside RLP-12-287; 1958; black label/deep groove N-/V+ S $45 -- mid-east jazz; w/Bilal Abdurahman, Johnny Griffin (tenor sax)..; the first stereo, if not 12" hi-fi, LP of true "oriental jazz" or Mid-East inspired jazz; serious stuff, great jacket, great recording!
Naif Agby: El Debke--Music of the Middle East; Audio Fidelity AFSD-5980; 1962; blue label E+/N- S $20 (or black label N-/E+ S $20, specify) -- a classic/essential, both for the sensational jacket & lively, authentic music (all of his LPs are terrific)
Naif Agby: Bedouin Sahda (Pretty Dancing Girl); Audio Fidelity AFSD-6122; 1964; cutout black N/N shrink S $30 -- great! & much rarer than the 1st LP; snap it up while you can
Naif Agby & the Lebanese Radio Orchestra: An Evening with Uncle Tanous; Audio Fidelity AFSD-6268; 1974; sealed S $40 (or cutout N-/N S $30, specify) -- terrific music (best of his 3 for the label), great jacket, very hard to find!
[George Mgrdichian as] Aram Arakelian Ensemble: The Oud!; Carlton LP12-109; N-/N $35 -- an impeccable artifact of both the hi-fi era (the Carlton "handcrafted" label boasts "the unlimited high fidelity sound") and authentic oud-led, pan-Mid-East ensemble music, circa-1959; Arakelian is really a pseudonym for maestro George Mgrdichian dodging contract, so there is no greater mark of quality--oud fans mustn't miss it; Oriental Mood, Arabic Waltz, Izmir, Memories, Halay, Reverie, Gay Sultan, Kings Entrance, Fountain Scene, Arabic Dance, Oriental Rhythm, Grecian Fantasy
Armenian Folk Ensemble: Armenian & Caucasian Songs--The Folk Music of the Armenian People; Mace MXX-10026; N/E+ shrink ES $15 -- field recording (nearly); arr./cond. A. Bartevian; 16 cuts, 44:14 mins. long!; similar to Monitor but even rarer; nice TWA jacket photo; a top value!
Armenian State Chorus/Armenian Song & Dance Ensemble: Monitor Presents Armenian Folk Songs; Monitor MF-303; deep groove N-/N $15 -- field recording (nearly); conducted by Aram Ter-Oganesian & Tatul Altunian, respectively
Farid el Atrache: Belly Dance; Cairophon LPCXG-6; 1980/1972 (reissues LPCXG-124); N-/N- S $20 -- Beirut import by one of the major composers; belly dancer jacket is different than the 1972 issue
Ross Bagdasarian: The Mixed-Up World of Ross Bagdasarian; Liberty LRP-3451; 1966; promo E/N $50 -- odd pop/mod Mid-East rock-jazz; historically a rock-pop collectors item (Liberty producer Bagdasarian more famous as David Seville/Chipmunks inventor) but of supreme importance to those seeking vintage Mid-East-rock hybrids; "Navel Maneuver" and "Bagdad Express" are the hip such tracks, but also there are "Armen's Theme" and "Come On-a My House" (perhaps the most famous Armenian-penned tune ever); the rest is goofy rock-novelty stuff, but good, swinging (in high mod '60s style), and funny
Vol. 1: Port Said (Nejla Ates on jacket)
Vol. 2: Sultan of Bagdad
Vol. 3: Music of the African Arab
Vol. 4: The Magic Carpet
Vol. 5: Dances of Port Said
Vol. 6: Exotic Music of the Belly Dancer
Artie Barsamian: Return to Baghdad; Standard/Colonial 860; E/N S $40 -- rare item whether this version (great combination of favorite artist & label!) or the one licensed by Epic; fans need both, as the sound is markedly different, and you get different jacket art, liners, and personnel listing (found on this version only); there are four Barsamians here!; Dumbeg Madness, Oriental Jump III, Oud Interpretations, Hey Hey Hey, Heddy Lou, Road to Baghdad..
Artie Barsamian: Belly Dance au Go-Go [Music of the Middle East]; Fiesta FLP-1468; cutout 1st/black N-/V+ shrink $15 -- rare original pressing has the best sound, nice jacket too; the Fiesta records are similar to his early work on other such labels as Truart and Virgo; the music is authentic, not "Americanized" and production standards are pretty high, although the original pressings tend to have livelier sound
John Berberian: Expressions East featuring the Oud of John Berberian; Mainstream 56023; 1964; b/w-label promo N-/N $150 (or stereo cutout S/6023 N-/V+ S $60, specify) -- oud/Mid-East; legendary masterpiece; his 1st for the label--coveted, rare original LP!; Siseler, Laz, Nubar Nubar, Basha Bella, Arabaya, Dzage Bunch, Whyek, Taksim (oud improvisation)
John Berberian Ensemble: Music of the Middle East; Roulette R-25306; E/N- $100 -- Mid-East/oud; w/fellow superstars Souren Baronian, Bob Tashjian, Chet Amsterdam..; uptempo/exciting, rare, wonderful LP expertly prod. by Peter Spargo (who contributes welcome liner notes); fantastic, unbeatable sound from original thick disc in top shape; Dale Dale, Hijazker Longa, Chifte-telli, Nehevent Longa, Oud Solo (5:03), Gamavor Zimvor, Tsamiko, Samra Ya Samra (vocal Bob Tashjian)
John Berberian/Rosko: Music & Gibran--A contemporary interpretation of the author of "The Prophet" by Rosko w/the John Berberian Ensemble; MGM/Verve Forecast FTS-3044; 1st jacket/Gibran; sealed w/flap S $150 (or w/flap N-/N- S $125, specify) (or E+/E+ S $100, specify) (or E/E S $100, specify) (or E/E- S $90, specify) (or E-/V+ S $60, specify) -- spoken w/music; intense, delightful, & of course different than his purely instrumental work but even better for that reason: Rosko is terrific as always (seek out his other records too); we take every opportunity to rescue this fantastic title from oblivion; Berberian fans don't miss it!
John Berberian/Rosko: Music & Gibran--A contemporary interpretation of the author of "The Prophet" by Rosko w/the John Berberian Ensemble; MGM/Verve Forecast FTS-3044; 2nd jacket/Rosko N-/N S $100 (or E-/E- S $50, specify) -- rarer-still revised edition features different artwork (Rosko on jacket face rather than Gibran)
John Berberian & the Mid Eastern Ensemble: Middle Eastern Rock; MGM/Verve Forecast FTS-3073; E-/E S $100 -- Mid-East rock/jazz; w/fellow superstars Souren Baronian, Bob Tashjian, Joe Beck, Chet Amsterdam..; the best hybrid record that truly merges psyche-era rock & guitar with the oud, percussion, time signatures, etc. of Armenian, Greek, & Turkish music (the only really comparable LP is Gus Vali's Chimera); it's the reason the psyche crowd is wild about Berberian, although he's always first-rate in all his records; The Oud & the Fuzz, Tranquility, Chem-Oo-Chem, Iron Maiden, Flying Hye, 3/8+5/8=8/8, The Magic Ground
John Bilezikjian: A Thousand & One Nights; Audio Fidelity AFSD-6287; 1977; black-label N/N- shrink S $35 (or sealed cutout, S $35, specify) -- oud/drums; "Instrumental Music for Belly Dancing"; one of his great pair of LPs from 1977 for the label (VERY comparable to John Berberian, although we're told his stronger influence was George Mgridichian)--very few AF LPs rate as highly!; made just before he next cut a terrific limited-edition direct-to-disc LP (fantastic audiophile wonder); 5 long cuts of Bilezikjian solo w/Tony Ayad on percussion: Bint il Beled, Dance of Sultana (14-minute dance routine), Nihavent Longa, Shenaz Longa, Sultani Yegah Sirto
Anita Darian ("the Armenian Yma Sumac") -- see 
Fred Elias Ensemble w/John Tatassopoulos: Artistic Moods for Dance; Intrasonic IS-2002; E/N S $50 -- incredible!; just two side-long tunes ("Artistic Moods" and "Leila"), characterized by very Moog-like organ and oud in a very psychedelic improv!; first and probably best of three volumes --all very hard to find-- by one of the true masters of the idiom (a musician's musician as well as one of the most desirable names in Mid-East records)
The Feenjon Group: Recorded Live at Cafe Feenjon; Fran FRS-106; 1966; 1st N-/N- S $30 (or 2nd N-/N- shrink S $25, specify) -- pan-Mid-East/Mediterranean; the original!; the classic 1st LP by the first, famous, ecumenical/multi-cultural/pan-Eurasian group (Arab, Israeli, Turkish, Greek w/some Russian, Spanish..); plenty of local NYC references--Eartha Kitt used to drop by the Greenwich Village boite regularly after her own gigs; copious liner notes; Walla Dai, Seloh Haadom, Mustapha, Chto Myne Gorye, Zorba, Azziza, Rampe Rampe, Cuando Caliente el Sol..
The Feenjon Group: Jerusalem of Gold; Monitor MFS-488; [probably] 1967; sealed S $25 (or N/E+ shrink S $20, specify) -- "Israel's Great New Hit Song...Jerusalem of Gold...Sung by Margalit"; the original pan-Middel-Eastern group's rare 4th/final LP offers 12 songs, incl. several very uptempo/exciting (2 Arabic, the rest Israeli or Yiddish); Yerushalayim Shel Zahav, Migdalim, Erev Ba, Chriribim, Habena Badena, Rad Halailah, Aravah, Rumania, Daber Elai Bifrachim, Rachel, Shiftatlli, Ayil Ayil
The Feenjon Group: An Evening at the Cafe Feenjon; Monitor MFS-497; 1968; N/N shrink $25 (or N/N- shrink S $20, specify) -- pan-Mid-East/-Mediterranean musical traditions; "America's most exciting Near-Eastern ensemble"; their only other LP just like the classic 1st (if you have the Fran LP, you need this too!)
Ganimian & his Oriental Music: Come with Me to the Casbah; Atlantic/Atco SD-33-107; 1st/deep groove cutout E+/V+ S $75 -- Mid-East rock/-jazz; Wow!!!; impossible stereo (early for the label, too!) of Charles "Chick" Ganimian's hip rarity, long sought by psyche collectors and those into unusual Mid-East music w/some Mid-East rock (it has been covered on a Jungle Exotica comp); essential for anyone interested in classic East-West hybrids--it's one of the first LPs of its kind; Oriental Jam, Over the Rainbow(!), The Whirling Dervish, Play Girl Play, Swingin' the Blues, Daddy Lolo, My Funny Valentine, Come with Me to the Casbah, Hedy Lou, Hayastan Moods, Halvah, Nine-Eight
Sout el Hob: Cairo by Night [Exotic Oriental Dances]; EMI/SHB-323; 1976; E/N S $150 -- probably the most exciting one-off item yet offered on this page; rare '70s import features hot drums, crazy organ/moog, transporting nay, and generally uptempo greatness; 11 cuts, all fantastic, with several to write home about (DJs will love); this is why we check out every "Voice of Lebanon" import we can--to discover such wonders as this
Chris Kalogerson & the Ensemble Sharqi: Belly Dancing for Everyone; Monitor MFS-771; E-/E S $15 -- not many know about this, apparently, so it's a bargain; great music, beautiful dancer jacket; liners show thumbnails of other good Monitor LPs (Abdo & Feenjon) recommended
Joseph Karkour, Setrak Sarkissian, etc.: Belly Dance!--Spectacular Rhythms from the Middle East; Philips International PILPS-10210; 1974; cutout N/N shrink S $30 -- rare one on PI (same as EMI Voix de l'Orient GVDL-74; 1974 but different jacket face); high marks for both jacket & music, which features nay, violin, kanoun, accordion, tabla (including a solo), and organ
The Ethnic Turkish Orchestra: Road to Istanbul; Scepter/Mace M-10031; N-/N- $40 (or E-/V+ $25, specify) -- Mid-East/Turkish; w/
Udi Joseph Kouyoumjian Orchestra featuring Fred Elias & his Ensemble with Esber Koprucu on Kanun: Beautiful Belly--Music for Listening & Dancing; Federated FR-1000; 1975; sealed w/booklet S $75 -- one of the best, rarest, pan-Mid-East music LPs featuring the great Fred Elias Ensemble (of Massachusetts); impeccable standards of musicianship as well as ideal for belly dancers; great organ also, like the best imports of the period; Dance of the Bedouins (dance routine in 3 parts), Askimla Oynama, Uskadara, Banat il Mookala, Hijaz Taksim, Dance of the Pharoahs (dance routine in 4 parts), Hava Nagila, Acem Asiram Taksim
Strictly Belly Dancing (Ya Habibi #2) [The First Volume]; Scepter SPS-5114; 1973; E+/E+ S $15 -- the first is both a classic of the great Scepter/Mace period and ostensibly a sequel to the Decca LP "Ya Habibi"; Ma Elee (He Didn't Tell Me), Cleopatra, Yett May Ess (My Life, My Love), Chifti Telle, Balady, Ah Yah Zein, Kadife (Kashlimar), Wedding Party, Chutak Melody, Shifte Armny, Oud Fantasy
Strictly Belly Dancing The Second Volume; Scepter SPS-5118; 1975; N/N shrink S $15 (or E/N- S $15) -- Full Dance Routine: Eddie Kochak "Ameraba" (9 tracks: Leila, The Sensual Chifti, Medium-Fast, Slow Chiftis with Takseems, Dirbakee Solos, Oud Solos, Sheesh-Kabob, Slow->Fast Balady, Toota); Hawil Ya Ghanam, Ya-Bul-Ayoun-Il-Sood, Sel-Im-Alay, Ya-Mali-Sham, Habeebe "Afeefee"
Strictly Belly Dancing The Third Volume; Scepter SPS-5128; 1976; N/E+ shrink S $15 -- Medley--Medium Tempos, Rumba Bolero, Balady, 4/4 Medley w/Drums, Slow Chifti--Floor & Veil Work, Chifti (faster), Floor Work (no tempo), Slow->Fast Balady, Medium Tempos w/Drums, Chiftitellis--4/4 Tempos, Fast Exciting Medley (Good Feeling & Helaway), Easy Flowing Kashlimar, 4/4 Tempos-Balady-Finale
Strictly Belly Dancing The Fifth Volume; Ameraba AM-2502; 1977; E+/E+ S $15 -- Ramza, Selma, Nazira, Najla, Afifi, Drum Khalleel, Amina, Abla, Slow Kashlimar Mlebbas, Kashlimar Anwar, Didi, Ill Hilween, Asallia, Mazin Hamdan--Oud Taksimia (improvisation), Hanna Drumzilzia (drum solos)
Strictly Belly Dancing The Sixth Volume; Ameraba AM-2502; 1977; E-/N S $15 warped but tracks/plays fine; rare! -- Velerie, Nila, Jajouka, Phaedra Pharonica, Mijwiz, Bahijah, Halima, Naima, Elena, Derwish il Brahim, Sudani, Mish Mish, Zeyna, Rhythm Patterns with Percussion, Shifti-Shifti
Nahi & Romeo Lahoud w/Boghos Gelalian: Dark Eyes & Oriental Moods--Oriental Belly Dance; SLD Lebanon/Peters International PILPS-10045; 1973; E-/N- S $15 -- good authentic Lebanese LP (w/naye) selected for import by PI; Ala Bali, Ala Toul, Ya Mit Massa, Tcharrafna, Fayek Lam Kinna, Sarli Tlat Ayam, A'ankoud El Helou, Dabke Nouerieh
Sonny Lester: Middle East After Hours; Time S-2096; deep groove N/E+ shrink S $40 (or deep groove N-/E $35, specify) (or deep groove E+/E $30, specify) -- mod Mid-East jazz; the best, definitive, swingin'est LP by famous jazz producer Sonny Lester & a vital, unusual conception of Mid-East jazz--we love this record! (get it & play it LOUD); updates (uptempo's!) some of his tunes for Roulette (the Little Egypt vols.) & adds some terrific originals; fantastic percussion, vibes, horns--the works (also sounds like early Combustible Edison); 1 percussionist is Peter Gutierrez (Latin superstar Pete Terrace doing session work, no doubt); great sound comes from heavy vinyl!; nifty modern-art jacket completes the magic; Port Said, Dance of the Beggars, Oasis, Desert Love, Hejaz, Farewell to Port Said, Id, Ali Baba Cake Walk, Mocha Jazz, Rebecca from Mecca, Dancing Maiden of Port Said, Beautiful Blue Nile
Eddie Mekjian & Ensemble: Armenian Dance Party--Music from the Middle East; Fiesta FLPS-1489; red label E/N S $30 -- w/Bill Aliferis; groovy mod jacket & his most exciting music!
Eddie Mekjian & Ensemble: The Seventh Veil; Fiesta FLPS-1599; E/N- S $20 (or V+/E+ S $15, specify) -- w/Joe Kouyoumjian, oud & Eli Nazarian, kanun; beautiful jacket photo same as Fiesta FLP-1372 (Maha)!; Mymish Ugha, Yangin Var, Hureshdagus, Votch Mi Dzaghig, Mia Pidamofi Tsigana, Harpoot Havasi (Wedding Song) Shuffle, Halimeh, Harpoot, Seni Geurdum, Hijaz Karshlima, Madzoon, Oud Taksim-Hijaz
Edward Mekjian & his Ensemble: Belly Dance Music from the Middle East; Fiesta FLPS-1649; E+/N shrink S $30 -- his best LP!; all excellent w/some very exotic strong favorites; beautiful dancer-at-night jacket
Eddie Mekjian & Ensemble: Belly Dance Music from the Middle East, Vol. 2; Fiesta FLPS-1742; sealed S $20 -- w/Udi Joseph Kouyoumjian Ensemble; more great stuff, great jacket, ideal, low price
The Ray Mirijanian Oud & Clarinet (Vol. 1, No.1); Mirta MR-1001; 1965; N-/E+ shrink $30 (or E+/E+ $25, specify) -- classic LP by headliners of Philadelphia's Middle East Restaurant (Mirijanian also was with the Gomidas Band); also one of the first and most significant groups to play a wide variety of styles representing most of the Middle East; rare elsewhere but we get it often enough and can price it low; 13 tracks: Hasapiko, Jameela, Bandar (Persian!), Chifte Telli, Manee Rayida, Halay, Hava Nagila, Mee Melancholis, Kale Kale, Karsilamas, Bint El Shalabiyeh, Efem, Kalamatianos
The Ray Mirijanian Middle East Band: A Night in the Middle East, Vol. 2; Middle East ME-1011; E/N- $25 -- premier Philly artist (scarce elsewhere), really good!; dir. Bob Sarkisian; great jacket, liners by Jim Tayoun, historic liner photos of Philly's Middle East restaurant & belly dancer
The Nor-ikes: Exciting Music of the Nor-ikes featuring Souren Baronian; Carlee CLS-1001; E-/V- ES $20 -- groovy record (jacket and more) by seminal group that began as the Asia Minors; while this one follows the well-known "Middle Eastern Soul" LP, it's far rarer (hence our offering this "as is" copy) and features recordings that surely predate the previous LP, as it's in ES; features Chick Ganimian and an alternate version of his "Dari-Lolo" ("Daddy Lolo" on the Atlantic LP and 45), so you Ganimian fans ought to check it out just for that; wear/noise--you bet, but we'll give a deal on it if bought with Ganimian or the other Nor-ikes; PRIVATE PRESS!!!
[Nor-Ikes] Bob Tashjian & Souren Baronian: Hye Inspiration; Carlee CLS-1002; N/E+ S $40 -- Mid-East [jazz]; "a party record, a dance record, and a listening record"; features John Tarpinian, oud; formerly the Nor-ikes (seminal group whose members seem to be on many of the best US records of this type), so you know that in this early '70s outing you're in for something great; whole thing a winner but the standout pick is hip, jazzy "Herosi Bar"--Armenian original in 7/8 time (better than a lot of John Berberian and the like, which is saying something); PRIVATE PRESS!!!
Bebi Stergiou & the Alector Anatolian Ensemble: Greek Town, USA--A Salute to New York's Bouzoukee Casbahs; Alector ALP-5004; N-/V+ S $15 -- early, exotic Greek belly-dance music within, and packaged as a rare period piece and snapshot of old-NYC life!; jacket face features fascinating jacket photos of defunct NYC boites, while the back shows and names the performers on this micro-label (virtually a NYC-Greek private press); generally good/clean/great sound with wear mainly on Side 2--priced accordingly and well worth it!
The Sultan's Caravan: Belly Dance to Great Navel Music; RCA Victor AFL1-1820; 1976; E/E- S $25 -- led by Joe Castellon, w/
The Sultans: String, Wind, & Percussion Vol. 2; Sultans S-003; 1982; E-/E- S $25 -- great group that consistently makes good use of Moog (good synth, anyway), & any other differences between them & earlier acts is only positive--they rock; Side 1 is a continuous 19-min. "Dance Oriental Routine" in 6 parts (part 4 is Taksim featuring synthesizer & ney, for instance); Side 2 is 6 tunes; dancers should get all by this group (the LPs aren't easy to find)
The Toraia Orchestra of Algiers: Arabian Love Songs; Request SRLP-8127; N-/N [S?] $20 -- excellent reissue of rare 1956 LP Music of the Arab People (Esoteric ES-547) minus 1 Turkish song but w/new jacket art; 1 instrumental, rest exciting vocals by two famous female singers in the group
John Vartan Ensemble: Spotlight on Belly Dancing; Monitor MFS-806; 1980 sealed S $20 -- 11 cuts, partly vocal; "two complete belly dance routines"; Vartan was associated w/John Berberian (appears on at least 1 JB LP) & had earlier records on such top labels as Guirak; very nice price for a scarce, sealed, uncut, stereo LP on a worthy label; jacket photo of belly dancer Cia Beverly Cirel
Yaffa Yarkoni/Trio Bel Canto w/George Stratis Ensemble: Songs from the Garden of Allah; CBS/Epic BF-19025; 1963; N-/E+ S $40 -- "The exotic sounds of Greece and the Near East"; rare & wonderful, including the gorgeous belly-dancer jacket, w/celebrated Israeli singer ably handling a Feenjon-worthy salad of Mid-East traditions: Nina Nai, Mustapha, Melahrini Tsigana, Migdal Boded, Ta Paida Tous Piraeus (Never on Sunday), Moses, Aspres Kordelles (White Ribbons), Rampe Rampe, Xipna Agapi Mou, Depka, Sude Sude, Camel Caravan
Uncredited: The Art of Belly Dancing [With Music & Vocal Instruction]; Gateway GSLP-3527; sealed S $35 (or E-/E+ S $25, specify) -- music/instruction (spoken w/music); Dee-Lite sampled it (the "We're going to dance and have some fun" at the start of their smash hit and sampling icon "Groove is in the Heart") but the whole thing is at least as great/sensational as that choice moment; thus it's a strong favorite (like most LPs on favorite regional oddball label Gateway); belly-dancer jacket and illustrated instructional liner notes; Bust Exercise, Hip Thrust & Vibration, Belly & Snake Movements..
Uncredited: The Art of Belly Dancing Volume 2; Gateway GSLP-3531; sealed S $20 -- good companion to the 1st volume and addition to any belly-dance collection; this time it's straightforward, authentic instrumental music; Side 1 Turkish (6 cuts), Side 2 Arabic (all one routine); w/production help by Jilana, NYC belly dance instructor
Various: Aphrodisia--Music of Afghanistan & Iran; Hanover HM-5004 (reissues Evergreen EVR-002); V+/V+ $20 -- 12 great songs courtest of the Mission of the University of Indiana (rec. by J.C. & S. Lubtchansky; ed. G. Rouget); the original release gives you liner notes and photos in classic field-recording style, but you'll never find it; this one gives you the saucy nude jacket and, among other fascinating sounds, one way-out mouth-harp cut
Various: Musical Memories of Turkey; London International TW-91299; deep groove N/N $20 -- uncommon compilation of folk songs & dance tunes rec. in Turkey probably in the late '50s (probably issued otherwise elsewhere, but this is a nice production); Aycan Can, Hamiyet Duygulu, Ylmaz Sanliel, Gulcan Sevim (Tell Me, Are the Wild Cherries Ripe?), Handan Toksoz, Ertan Ulusu, Ayse Yurdanur (Our Dolled Up Bride, Ahmet's Done Me Wrong)
Hanoum Ayse's Belly Dance Music: Authentic Music of Belly Dancers (The Same Music You Hear in Night Clubs); Standard/Colonial LP-937; cutout N-/N S $50 -- impeccable, rare, YOU NEED IT!!!; curiously, the original Standard LP also is in true stereo (our copy, anyway), whether or not there was ever a mono release; in any case you get new jacket art and all the same sound with this Colonial issue, plus it's in top shape; features some great oud and kanoun solos, too!; Semra Semra, Karsilama, Arap Oynunu, Ussak Cifte Telli, Arap Oyun Havasi, Kanun--Nihavent Taksim, Sudu Sudu, Bahcelerde, Oyun Havasi, Dance Havasi, Raks Oyun Havasi, Ud--Hicaz Taksim
Garam Chiba with Typical Orchestra: Holiday in Lebanon & Syria; Colonial ST-LP-821; E+/E+ shrink S $30 -- we'd be thrilled just to tell you the first track is called "Ramshit" but it's a really terrific record throughout (one of our favorites on the label); the best cut is "Lebanese Dance" but there is a lot to enjoy; best of all the LP is 1st/stereo/clean, which is tough!
Uncredited/Hanoum Ayse's Belly Dance Music: Belly Dancers' Music; Standard 423 N/E- $30 (or N-/V- $20, specify) -- "Exotic-Fascinating-Captivating...a music roundup of the night spots featuring belly dancers"; one of the top titles on one of the best & most authentic (desirable, collectable) small US labels dedicated to Mid-East music--YOU NEED THIS!!!; jacket of belly dancer posing on oriental carpet; Misirlou, Dance of Veils, Dance of Hips, Kurdish Style Dance..
Uncredited/Hanoum Ayse's Belly Dance Music: Belly Dancers' Music; Colonial World of Music LP-923; N/N- shrink S(ES?) $35 -- "Exotic-Fascinating-Captivating...a music roundup of the night spots featuring belly dancers"; one of the top titles on one of the best & most authentic (desirable, collectable) small US labels dedicated to Mid-East music--YOU NEED THIS!!!; jacket of belly dancer posing on oriental carpet; Misirlou, Dance of Veils, Dance of Hips, Kurdish Style Dance..
Uncredited/"Near East Orchestras": Music for Belly Dancing; Standard/Colonial LP-901; N-/N ES? $30 -- originally as "Istanbul [Authentic Music of the Near East]" (Standard LP-401), this is a great way to get a top copy at a good price; 14 tracks include an Oud solo piece and other delights; Rambi-Rambi, My Heart Aches--cifte telli, I Saw You Yesterday-karsilama, Neva Cifte Telli, Aptal Havassi, Missir Havassi, Rast Taxim, Hanoum Cifte Telli, Your Beautiful Hand-karsilama, Bam-Boum-zeibek, I'll Be Drunk Tonight-karsilama, Istanbul Cifte Telli, Missir Havassi, Anatolou Cifte Telli
The Sheiks: Baghdad Rock Parts 1 & 2; MGM K-12876 yellow-label promo E $30 -- orient-rock; good stuff, similar to Ganimian; reissues Trine 1101--both issues scarce