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Exotica-foreign |
Afro | Carib Linked to the Hyp Records guide to records & artists: 
Vinyl Safari: 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). |
The Word: Ahlan wa sahlan (welcome)! Here find the very best authentic classics by the masters (for dancers), hip/funky/psyche East-West hybrids (for DJs), and other rare, unusual, sensational LPs, many with great jackets (for collectors). We cut our teeth in Brooklyn on this stuff, met Ray Rashid (the leading US importer/distributor of Mid-East vinyl), saw Eddie Kochak perform, etc.
Many of these titles are the best and rarest--cause for real collector excitement, while others are the very best of the best-sellers--great values for everyone. No junk, in other words. If you're a dancer or musician or have something to trade, please let us know. See our LP trade wants at page end, but all kinds of things considered.
Meesha Tayoun at Hip Wax --
-- Joe Tayoun & Adeeb Refela performing in concert at the Hip Wax Casbah
Below: Standard-Colonial LPs (top US label) | Mid-East 45s
Discount: usually free mailing offered; possibly more for multi-item orders
Images: may not be the exact copy listed/purchased (but usually is)
SPECIAL: belly dancer's tote bag
holds LPs!
1 only -- first come, first served
FREE!!! with purchase of 3+ LPs
(just ask)
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
Naif Agby: Bedouin Sahda (Pretty Dancing Girl); Audio Fidelity AFSD-6122; 1964; cutout black N/N shrink S $30 -- great!; much rarer than the first LP (El Debke); 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 -- terrific music (best of his three for the label), great jacket, very hard to find!
[George Mgrdichian as] Aram Arakelian Ensemble: The Oud!; Carlton LP12-109; N-/N $30 -- impeccable artifact of both the hi-fi era (the enigmatic, tiny Carlton "handcrafted" label boasts "the unlimited high fidelity sound") and authentic oud-led, pan-Mid-East ensemble music, circa-1959; and as your surest sign of quality, Arakelian is really a pseudonym for maestro George Mgrdichian dodging contract, so oud and Mgridichian fans won't want to 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 label E/N $50 (or stock N-/N $50, specify) -- 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--even some Esquivellian wordless chorus!), and often funny!
Mohammed El-Bakkar & his Oriental Ensemble: Music of the Middle East, Vols. 1-6; Audio Fidelity; -- quintessential Arabic house-party LPs; must-haves for belly dancers, serious fans of Mid-East music, and jacket collectors alike; gorgeous, hall-of-fame jackets and Audio Fidelity's hi-fi/audiophile production; all recorded in one historic 1957 recording session, released in 1958 (final two volumes in 1962) in several pressings; "AFSD" is stereo (silver, blue, yellow, or black label); "AFLP" is mono (always gold label). Released in 1958, volumes 1-4 in silver-label stereo with gatefold jackets are collectors items. Vols. 5-6 were released in 1962 (after the gatefold versions, so don't expect any). Vol. 1, Port Said, is the classic best-seller but all are equally great; specify copy where multiples are listed.
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: Gems of Sesame; Fiesta/Virgo 1802; black label E-/E- $30 -- "Again the great Barsamian band in the open door of music"; rare early great one on Fiesta black (Virgo imprint); very excited to offer this one!; Russel Gasparian Special, Oriental Jump Four, Seeretzi Cha Cha, Duldula, Apple Tree Song, Girl from the East, Drink and Be Merry, Oud Taksim, Step Lively, Black Eyes
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 -- oud/Mid-East; legendary masterpiece; his first for the label--coveted, rare original LP!; Siseler, Laz, Nubar Nubar, Basha Bella, Arabaya, Dzage Bunch, Whyek, Taksim (oud improvisation)
John Berberian: Oud Artistry of John Berberian; Mainstream 56047; 1965; E+/E+ $100 -- oud/Mid-East; legendary masterpiece--second of two for the label; with Souren Baronian, Bob Tashjiian, John Valentine..; Azziza, Bir-Demet Yasemen, Sevan 5/4, Savgulum, Yarus, Sevasda, Rast Taksim, Rast Sazsemi
John Berberian Ensemble: Music of the Middle East; Roulette R-25306; E/N- $100 -- Mid-East/oud; with 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 $90, specify) (or E/E- S $60, specify) -- spoken w/music; "The vocals and arrangements are based on old Middle Eastern melodies, modes, and rhythms--with the addition of contemporary rock sounds for variety of texture and volume"; intense, delightful, and of course different than Berberian's purely instrumental work but perhaps even better for that very reason; Rosko is terrific as always (seek out his other records too); we take every opportunity to rescue this fantastic title from oblivion and so are stocked with top copies at a range prices; Berberian fans NEED THIS!!!; The Speechless Animal, The Story of a Friend, Introduction to "The Broken Wings", Perfection, At the Door of the Temple, A Glance at the Future, Yesterday Today & Tomorrow
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 $90 (or E-/E- S $50, specify) -- rarer-still revised edition features different artwork (Rosko on jacket face rather than Gibran)
John Bilezikjian: Dream of Sheherazade; Audio Fidelity AFSD-6281; 1977; cutout E-/E- S $20 -- oud/drums; "Belly Dance to the oud with John Bilezikjian"; 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!; only two people, only 4 long cuts, so you know it's not standard pop!; Antonio's Delight, Jemilleh's Joy, Dream of Sheherazade, The Wish of Alexandria
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 Exotica-Foreign
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)
Duke Ellington's Far East Suite .... jazz
The Feenjon Group: Recorded Live at Cafe Feenjon; Fran FRS-106; 1966; N-/N- shrink S $30 (or N-/V shrink S $15, 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
Institute of Arabic Music, Cairo: Arab Music; Lyrichord LLST-7186; N-/E+ S $30 -- first-rate rare title, top sound and production, great music (oud, kanoun, nai, tabla, etc.) by professors Hassen Ashmawy, Ahmed El Rashedy, Farouk Amin Zayed..; Ya Saide, Yallel Baladna, Asuit, Auminaity Ashufeak Ya-alby, Samaie Agam, Samie Thakiel Bayaty, Bayaty Mode Variation, Bayaty for the Nai and Kanun, Bayaty for the Oud Kanun and Nai
Institute of Arabic Music, Cairo: Arab Music Volume 2; Lyrichord LLST-7198; N-/N- S $30 -- first-rate rare title, top sound and production, great music (oud, kanoun, nai, tabla, etc.) by professors Hassen Ashmawy, Ahmed El Rashedy, Farouk Amin Zayed..; Samaie Shad Araban, Bayaty El Erian, Tahmilla, Samaie Nahawand, Lastw Adry, A Piece on Nahawand, Variation on Nahawand (Baheia Nahawand), Variation on Bayaty, Oriental Melody
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 but different jacket face); high marks for both jacket and music, which features nay, violin, kanoun, accordion, tabla (including a solo), and organ
Youssef Kassab: Nadira Belly Dances for Youssef Kassab; Peters International PILPS-10075; 1974; E/N- S $20 -- five songs on Side 1, and a side-long full routine for dancers on Side 2; recorded in Damascus with top musicians, great sound
Eddie "Sheik" Kochak, Hakki Obadia, & their Amer-Abic Orchestra: Ya Habibi!--Exciting New Sounds of the Middle East; Decca DL-4501; 1st press N/N $60 -- Mid-East/Mid-East jazz; leads the field in music/musicianship, and it's the first, early Kochak on a major label in hi-fi (top sound sound production, and not reissued); astounding, hall-of-fame jacket features the two principles (each wearing a fez) flanking gorgeous belly dancer Adriana (still performing in Washington, DC last I heard); like most of their early LPs, very hard to find!; Ya Habibi, Ripples of the Nile, Flowers of Beirut, Village Feast, Camel Hop, Mediterranean Fantasy, Dance of the Happy Bride, Happy Jordan, Red Sea Blues, Desert Wanderers, Gardens of Baghdad, Moroccan Delight
Eddie "The Sheik" Kochak & Hakki Obadia Orchestra: Arrac-Laham (Liqueur Araby), Mishwee (Shish Kebab), & Thou; Scepter/Mace SM-10004; N/E+ shrink S $40 (or mono M-10004 N/N- $30, specify) (or mono N-/N- $30, specify) (or mono E+/E+ $20, specify) -- "Festive Dance Music from the Middle East" designed for listening along with the titular trifecta of "rotgut, meat-on-a-stick, and you"; reissues early great stuff on the Georgette label, mainly the fantastic "Ameraba" LP (essentially private press and super rare!); good clean pressing and nice jacket photo; titles, in corrected order: Mizwich String Song (similar to "Jazz in Port Said"), Chant of Daloona, Mustafa al Araby, Cleopatra Dance, Hava Nagila Araby, Miserlou, Sesame Jump, Jealous Wife, Midnight in Baghdad, Ala Baladel Mahboob, Oglan Oglan, 1000 Nights
Soubhi Kochak & Hakki Obadia Ensemble: Middle East Music--Moods of the Casbah; Scepter/Mace M-10011; 1965; orange label N/N- shrink $30 -- note: disc labeled as stereo but it's mono; incredible set, from the opening percussion showcase to "Al-Yooba" (Arabic Barn Dance), which is a rap --that's right, a rap!-- in English; essential; Soubhi Kochak is Eddie, of course; Ya Ghezayil (Rites Before the East)/Nakheel (By the Oasis)/Ana Winta (You & I)/Hawanim (Dance of the Wives)/Al Yooba (Arabic Barn Dance)/Ghali Ya Booy (You Are Dear to Me)//Ma Ali (He Didn't Tell Me of His Love)/Ala Wihda Wa Niss (One & Half Tempo)/Bint Sham (Joyous Damascus)/Samra (The Dark One)/Jazaeer (Dance of the Lovers)/Dinya Kek (Such is the World)
Soubhi Kochak & Hakki Obadia Ensemble: The Best of Middle East Music; Scepter/Citation CTN-18024; 1973/1965; N/N shrink S $30 (or E-/N- S $25, specify) (or cutout E-/E- S $15, specify) -- valuable stereo reissue 1965's rare "Middle East Music--Moods of the Casbah" (Scepter/Mace M-10011; 1965); incredible set, from the opening percussion showcase to "Al-Yooba" (Arabic Barn Dance), which is a rap --that's right, a rap!-- in English; essential; Soubhi Kochak is Eddie, of course; Ya Ghezayil (Rites Before the East)/Nakheel (By the Oasis)/Ana Winta (You & I)/Hawanim (Dance of the Wives)/Al Yooba (Arabic Barn Dance)/Ghali Ya Booy (You Are Dear to Me)//Ma Ali (He Didn't Tell Me of His Love)/Ala Wihda Wa Niss (One & Half Tempo)/Bint Sham (Joyous Damascus)/Samra (The Dark One)/Jazaeer (Dance of the Lovers)/Dinya Kek (Such is the World)
The Ethnic Turkish Orchestra: Road to Istanbul; Scepter/Mace M-10031; N/N shrink $40 (or N-/N- $30, specify) (or E/E- $20, specify) (or stereo SM-10031 E/V+ $15, specify) -- Mid-East/Turkish; w/Eddie "The Sheik" Kochak, Fred Elias, Hakki Obadia, Emin Gandiz, Steve Bagoshian..; all-new compositions by Kochak-Obadia-Elias (not reissued, not available elsewhere) distinguish this first-rate, authentic, great-sounding record (in demand and rare); Road to Istanbul, Wedding Party, Yesllim, Chutak Melody, Naha and Melody, Gazell, Giyer Fistanini, D-Jamellas Delight, Mount Arrat, Kefif Mood, Tarabyoom Holiday, Kadife
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
Eddie "The Sheik" Kochak: Strictly Belly Dancing series -- While digital reissues of some kind are available, only the LPs give you all the original tunes in their original release order (the CDs really are unrecognizable!). These belly-dance classics feature the most polished works by Kochak, Hakki Obadia, and Fred Elias and are mandatory for dancers and fans of belly-dance LPs. Featured are Middle-Eastern organ (Farfissa, played like an exotic Moog) and full routines as well as shorter pieces.
All are STEREO, in top shape, and just $15.
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
Sonny Lester: Little Egypt Presents How to Belly Dance for Your Husband; Roulette SR-59029 (1984 reissue); w/booklet E/N S $25 -- mideast jazz; few others know this, but the original LP w/different jacket art is Emus ES-12012 (rare!), the liners of which tell you this "Little Egypt" was actually 21yo Lorraine Egypt, who starred as Orpah (not Oprah) in the Broadway show "Gideon" and earned hot reviews (the booklet is pretty juicy too!); but you'll want it more for the great Sonny Lester's unique oriental jazz (w/original version of cut on Time LP "Rebecca from Mecca"); Turkish, Fertile Desert, The Unveiling, Boom Boom, Calcutta Rag, Salome's Veil, Daughter of the Nile, The Belly Dancer's Waltz, The Dream, Jasmine, Cad of Bagdad, Queens Night Out
Sonny Lester: Middle East After Hours; Time S-2096; deep groove N/E+ shrink S $40 (or deep groove N-/E $35, specify) -- mod Mid-East jazz; the best, definitive, swingin'est LP by famous jazz producer Sonny Lester and a vital, unusual conception of Mid-East jazz--we love this record! (get it and play it LOUD); updates (uptempo's!) some of his tunes for Emus/Roulette (Little Egypt vols.) and adds some terrific originals; fantastic percussion, vibes, horns--the works; 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
Hank Mardigian Sextet featuring George Mgrdichian on the Oud: Oriental Delight; Forum SF-9010; blue label N/N- S $25 -- classic set and a favorite jacket: fez-wearing man offers hookah to laughing reclined woman while another peers out of curtains; features the great George Mgrdichian and Roger Mgrdichian; tho a popular seller on an ordinary label, it is nevertheless one of the most essential LPs of its kind, and we're delighted to have it in top shape!; Oriental Delight, Dance of the Veil, Village Dance, Dreams of Home, The Halleh, Caucasian Dance, Sweet Spring, Kismet, Mood Orientale, Zebeck, Seeds of Joy, Come My Sweet One
Eddie Mekjian & Ensemble: Armenian Dance Party--Music from the Middle East; Fiesta FLPS-1489; red label E/N S $30 -- with Bill Aliferis; groovy mod jacket and his most exciting music!; possibly his first LP (earliest number on the label)
Eddie Mekjian & Ensemble: Belly Dance Music from the Middle East; Fiesta FLPS-1551; sealed S $30 -- w/Bill Aliferis & Joe Kouyoumjian; Chesmeh Bashi, Nor Pessa, Catherine, Hye Vahn, Choban Kuz, Telegrafin Telleri, Indim Yarin, High Heel Shoes, Kurdish Bar, Dalleh Dalleh, Kharnarsee
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 -- probably his best LP!; all excellent with some very exotic strong favorites; beautiful dancer-at-night jacket; yes, it's the second LP with the same title but totally different (should have been "volume two" but that's the title of the next one)
Eddie Mekjian & Ensemble: Belly Dance Music from the Middle East, Vol. 2; Fiesta FLPS-1742; sealed S $25 -- with Udi Joseph Kouyoumjian Ensemble; more great stuff, great jacket, ideal, low price
Marko Melkon & his International Oriental Orchestra: Hi-Fi Adventure in Asia Minor; Decca DL-9061; red/silver label, 1st press N-/E+ $50 -- very scarce despite the major label, also highly unusual and important; Melkon Alemsherian (a.k.a. Marko Melkon) with the great George Mgrdichian--arranger and drum-doumbag, Roger King Mozian--composer (famous for "Asia Minor") and Melkon's son-in-law (wife/daughter Rose is one of four dancers pictured on the gorgeous jacket), Gary Alexanian--doumbag, Souvastaki--clarinet, Ahmet Yatman--kanun; strong uptempo music (exciting percussion): Armenian, Greek, Turkish, Arabic, plus something listed as a Mohammedan War Dance ("Jezayire")
George Mgrdichian, Oud & his Ensemble: The Now Sounds of the Middle East; Monitor MFS-709; V+/E- S $25 -- mid-east/oud; the great George Mgrdichian (the first name in oud, before John Berberian) in a quartet with Menachem Dworman, leader of the Feenjon Group (and we like it even better than the Feenjon LPs); unique, great, and well worth it just for for the version of "Take Five" (RIP Dave Brubeck); Nehavend Longa, Sultan Yoga, Yesterday (Beatles!), Laz Bar, Chat Araban, Aley Giva, Caderemen Ustune, Israeli Medley, Marinella
The Ray Mirijanian Oud & Clarinet (Vol. 1, No.1); Mirta MR-1001; 1965; E+/E+ $25 -- 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 buy locally and keep it priced 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 and belly dancer
The Ray Mirijanian Middle East Band: A Night in the Middle East, Vol. 1; Middle East ME-1010; E/N shrink S $25 -- another great one by premier Philly artist (rare elsewhere) that should be in everyone's collection; with Bob Sarkisian, Mona Liban (vocalist), Bob Kelly, Ed Tayoun..; groovy photos and notes by Jim Tayoun; Nina Nai Nai, Doktor, Armenian Medley, Siseler, Hala Laya, Arabaya Tas Koydum, Aman Koyzoym Aman Yavroom, Al Asfooreyeh, Siroon Aghchig, Erev Shelshoshanim, Ah Ya Zein
The Nor-ikes: Exciting Music of the Nor-ikes featuring Souren Baronian; Carlee CLS-1001; E-/V- ES $20 -- PRIVATE PRESS!!!; 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 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 Ganimian's famous 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 if bought with Ganimian or the other Nor-ikes; Govand, Halime, Chifte Telli, Shek Mazerov, Laz Bar, Nane Souyou, Achchig Hos Yegoor, Chifte Telli, Norike Bar, Chem-o-Chem, Dari-Lolo, Khun Dzorin Dzar
The Silhouettes: Conversations with the Silhouettes .... jazz
Mike Sarkissian & his Cafe Bagdad Ensemble: Grecian Holiday; Audio Fidelity AFLP-1866; 1958; 1st/gold/deep groove N-/E- $30 -- rare; given the musicians, it's really as Armenian/belly dance as it is Greek, and it's the second of three such LPs in series--all good, all hard to get, from the prized early days of this label; unusual tunes, acclaimed group (Sarkissian owned the Cafe Bagdad); terrific goofy jacket (as most are on this label) with belly dancer (model) who resembles actress Debbie Mazar!!!; extensive, colorful liner notes; Sou Sou Ratha, Naftopoulo, Bagdad Sirto, Minore Katsi, Tsingenella, Palamakia, Anapseta, Opa Opa, Apopse, Spartiatopoula, Arapina, Hasapiko
The Toraia Orchestra of Algiers: Arabian Love Songs; Request SRLP-8127; N-/N [S?] $20 (or E/N [S?] $15, specify) -- arabic vocal; excellent reissue of rare 1956 LP Music of the Arab People (Esoteric ES-547) minus one Turkish song but with new jacket art; one instrumental, the rest exciting vocals by two famous female singers in the group; excellent value!
Ozel Turkbas: How to Make Your Husband a Sultan; El-Ay 2687; w/booklet N/N shrink S $30 (or no booklet E+/E+ S $20, specify) -- Turkish belly dance; a classic, recorded with the very best Turkish musicians; hers are among the most varied (she sings on some cuts, but most are ensemble playing with great solos) and hippest (later ones feature Moog and breakbeats) of US-made Mid-East LPs; ideal for dancers, listeners, and jacket-gapers alike; celeb photos of lovely Ozel with Mike Douglas, Kirk Douglas, Charles Aznavour, David Steinberg..; dancers and collectors alike should have all 5 Ozel LPs; Ozel's Dance Music (17.35 mins.!), Hoplada (Tarik Bulut), Tin Tin (Tiny Little Lady--sung by Ozel), Tokat (Tokat City Song), Kandirali Chiftetelli, Taksimler (improvs for violin, kanun, clarinet), Andolu (Asia Minor), Fasulya (Gypsy Dance)
Ozel Turkbas: How to Belly Dance for Your Sultan; El-Ay 2789; w/booklet and order form E+/N- S $60 (or V+/E S $40, specify) -- the big one!; with the great Tarik Bulut, piano and Joseph Kassab, oud (top Turkish musicians on all of Ozel's records); chief among its virtues is a legendary deep-funk break (about 1 minute's worth within a 15-min. tune, not just a drum solo); all her LPs are intense, modern, thrilling--especially after the first; Ozel's Dance Routine, Lovers Look Alike, Hey Bili Bili Bom, Missourlu, He is in That Train, Home of the Twirling Dervishes, Helvaci, Organ Improvisation (by Jimmy Linardos, who had several LPs on Fran)
Ozel Turkbas: Dance Into Your Sultan's Heart; El-Ay 2877; w/booklet cutout N/N S $50 -- one of the 2 killers with Moog, funky drums/breaks, and funky waka-guitar; never easy to find and here we have it complete and in top shape!
Ozel Turkbas: Alla-Turca; El-Ay 2982; 1975; w/booklet E-/E S $35 -- very hard to find in the original complete with booklet!
Ozel Turkbas: Kismet; El-Ay E-5436; 1978; no booklet E+/N- S $60 -- rare! (rarest of Ozel's 5 LPs); "the first belly dance record to capture the mystic sound of Middle Eastern dervish music"; her last and one of the best, super scarce; arranged and conducted by the great Tarik Bulut; Ozel's Dance Routine (14 mins.), Horses of My Carriage Giddap Giddap, My Mouth is So Dry I Can't Beg You Anymore, My Sugar Boy, Oud Improvisation Double String..
Ozel Turkbas: Music for Belly Dancing BOXED SET; Murray Hill 944332; 3-LP box N-/N- S $50 (or E/E S $40, specify) -- Turkish belly dance; reissues How to Make Your Husband a Sultan, Dance Into Your Sultan's Heart, & Alla-Turca; 1 low price for 3 of her 5 terrific LPs!!!; see above descriptions, where available, of the three individual titles in this set
Gus Vali & his Casbah Ensemble: Belly Dances--For Men Only; United Artists/UnArt 21017; 1967; E-/N- $15 -- excellent compilation/intro to the master; nice dancer jacket; Uskudar, Doktor Doktor, Bachelerde, Delilah..
Gus Vali: Motion Picture Music for Belly Dancers; Musicor MM-2050; deep groove E+/N- $25 -- exotic, Mid-East versions of More, Charade, Topkapi, Exodus, Lawrence of Arabia, Cleopatra, Never on Sunday, Funny World (from Malamondo)..
Gus Vali: The Exciting Sounds of the Middle East; United Artists UAS-6404; N-/N S $35 (or mono UAL-3404; E+/N $30, specify) -- one of his rarest, good, early records, with a full 14 cuts (the two "Val Taxim" cuts at each side end are brief, more like cues); Kalamationos, Tamzara, To Takounaki, Lirge, Psara to Krima, Tsiou Tsiou, Val Taxim #1, Golfo, Hava Nagila, Yasena Mana, Adanali, Glari, Feta, Val Taxim #2
Gus Vali: Greek Soul; United Artists International UNS-15563; 1970; promo E-/E+ S $40 -- with production help from Chet Amsterdam, it's a most welcome counterpart to Chimera (pop rather than jazz but hip and funky) and even rarer; Those Were the Days, Aquarius, Istes Ginekis, Mi Tharis, Ela Ela, Good Morning Starshine, Vatikiottisa (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1Wv8kuKr1U), Silver & Gold, Windmills of Your Mind, Popi
Gus Vali: Belly Dance Navel Academy; Peters International PI-LPS-30; 1972; N/N shrink S $25 (or E+/N S $20, specify) (or E/N- S $15, specify) -- one of his best!; with George Mgrdichian, oud and Hakki Obadia!; deep, hip bass--great for DJs and dancers alike; 14 cuts!: Navel Academy Theme, Savgulum, Sauda Sauda, Kashlarin Ingee Ingee, Ahyazain, Port Said, Taxim, Semra Semra, Sesame, Farfara, Siseler, Byr Demet Yasemen, Rahks Taxim, Taxim Bassclaro
Bachiri Zoutni, his Muscians & Dancers: Arabic Songs & Dances; Request SRLP-8163; N-/N shrink S $25 -- rare opportunity to land yet another wonderful surprise in this great series (top recordings licensed for US release and well presented); top shape (flawless), great sound; very unusual music--flute and drums--and just a handful of long tracks; Andebdoea (Nice Girl), Finshabi (Artists Religion), Zinde (My Love), Larousa Hmis (Tale of Marriage), Snara (Lament for a Girl)
Uncredited: The Art of Belly Dancing [With Music & Vocal Instruction]; Gateway GSLP-3527; sealed S $30 (or used E/N- S $25, specify) -- music/instruction (spoken w/music); yes! this is the LP Dee-Lite famously sampled ("We're going to dance and have some fun") at the start of their smash hit and sampling icon "Groove is in the Heart"; the whole thing is at least as great/sensational as that choice moment; unique, impelling, it's a strong favorite (like most LPs on favorite regional oddball label Gateway) for all these reasons; 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 -- rarer than the famous volume one and a good companion to it and any belly-dance collection; this time it's straightforward, authentic instrumental music; Side 1 Turkish (6 cuts), Side 2 Arabic (all one routine); with 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)
Various: Super Belly Dance!; Voice of Lebanon VLMX-60; 1976; N-/E- S $60 -- Mid-East/psyche guitar; yes, it's one of those fantastic '70s imports in the Omar Khorshid vein (one of his and three others are shown in color thumbnails on the back); drums, organ, and best of all guitar that takes Dick Dale's Misirlou "to eleven" (probably features Omar Khorshid); Side 1: Sahar (Rafic Hobeika), Ya Dalla Dallaa-Bil el Jamal (Farid El Atrache); Side 2: Rakset el Fadaa (Nour El Mallah), Nada, Ghazaliyeh (Nicolas El Dik/El Dick), Ya Salat el Sein (Zakaria Ahmed)
Various: Tunisia, Vol. 1--The Classical Arab-Andalusian Music of Tunis; Folkways FW-8861; 1962/1960; w/booklet N/E+ shrink $20 -- rec. by Wolfgang Laade; not everyday you get one of these in top shape, fully intact, and this is a good one
Collectors items! Standard, Colonial, Standard-Colonial -- our favorite US label from "Mecca East" (New England and later New York) mystifies, delights, challenges, and rewards us with some of the most intriguing, authentic, and varied music of the greater Mid-East and Mediterranean world. Titles may be under any of these imprints: Standard [Phono Corp.], Colonial, or Colonial World of Music. Many titles, all very difficult to find. Got some already? We are seeking certain titles in trade (see below) and gladly will consider other titles that we don't already have.
Hanoum Ayse's Belly Dance Music: Authentic Music of Belly Dancers (The Same Music You Hear in Night Clubs); Standard/Colonial LP-937; (2nd jacket) 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
Artie Barsamian: Return to Baghdad; Colonial World of Music 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..
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!
Dave Tarras Orchestra & Allen Street Gypsies: Music of the Jewish People; Colonial LP-120; deep groove E/E- $40 -- "12 complete authentic Jewish dances"; super rare and good, with a sound that's loud and proud, it's like early Mickey Katz (the instrumentals, not the parodies); Congratulations Zelda, Grandfather's Dance, Ora--Sirba a la Dave, Ternovker Sher, Joyce's Tantz, South Fallsburg Bulgar, I Am Yours--Sher, Jolly Sher, Gypsy Bulgar, Dance of Happiness, Dance the Bulgar, Be Happy--frailach
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 John Buzon Trio: Side Saddle/Lizette; Liberty F-55189; N $40 (or E+ $30, specify) (or white-label promo E- $20, specify) -- Armenian-esque pop organ/instrumental; 2 great, scarce sides (on neither of their two Liberty LPs!) by the famous "Inferno" combo; similar to Ross Bagdasarian/David Seville's non-Chipmunk work
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