CD-Charts Position 1
Average Rating:

Art of the Ud

CD-Charts > Music > Iraq
by: Munir Bashir

Release Date October 09, 2001
Often in the world music arena one has to have some exposure to various works to enjoy them. This one will be easily assimilated by those who enjoy string instruments. I would recommend sampling the CD before you buy to ensure it is what you are looking for.

CD-Charts Position 2
Average Rating:

When the Soul Is Settled: Music of Iraq

CD-Charts > Music > Iraq
by: Rahim Alhaj, Souhail Kaspar

Release Date October 24, 2006
Playing Time - 73:26 -- Rahim Alhaj is a master of the oud (Arabic lute). All but one of the nine tracks span between 7-11 minutes. Alhaj's original taqsim (instrumental improvisations) provide a contemporary interpretation of maqams (the unique pitches on the Arabic musical scale along with their melodic movement). Alhaj's material is also rooted in and derived from this Iraqi musical tradition. For example, "Taqsim Maqam Hijaz" includes a rendition of the famous Iraqi song "Atop the Palm Tree." In fact, each piece includes improvisation followed by a famous song. While it might have been more interesting for some of the pieces to be arranged with a fuller maqam ensemble sound of spike fiddle (joza) and dulcimer (santur) too, some of the cuts ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 3
Average Rating:

Baghdad Lute

CD-Charts > Music > Iraq
by: Naseer Shamma

Release Date November 16, 1999
And here I thought this CD was my personal discovery! What a surprise to find 20 reviews...but, OK...I'm glad.
I can't understand any comparison to Munir Bashir - Shamma's virtuosity is of a whole different order. Each note seems to have its own attack and dynamic. And his collection of "extended techniques" places him solidly in the late '20th century. Bashir is much more humble and unassuming. Sometimes I feel that Shamma approaches the overelaborated. But even if it's a bit calculated, the calculations are on a genius level. And the orphanage piece touches the heart AND the mind, on so many levels.

CD-Charts Position 4
Average Rating:

Home Again

CD-Charts > Music > Iraq
by: Rahim Alhaj

Release Date November 13, 2007
This is the most recent of Alhaj's CD (released after his Grammy nomination for best World Music CD) and is a beautiful and unique musical story of his first trip back to Baghdad, Iraq after 13 years in exile. His contemporary compositions, rooted in traditional Iraqi rhythms and modes show a masterly ability to communicate a wide range of emotions and moods including deep connection to his mother (Closeness), sorrow for American pain and loss after 9-11 (Gray Morning), horror at a close cousin's death in Iraq (Qassim), Compassion for all living beings modeled on Far Eastern styling, Tango rhythm and connection to a new favorite tree in a new homeland (Oak) and cowboy blues combined with Oriental structure (Baghdad, New Mexico). As always, I found ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 5
Average Rating:

Voice of Mesopotamia

CD-Charts > Music > Iraq
by: Farida & The Iraqi Maqam Ensemble

Release Date January 13, 2004
The art of Iraqi maqam reached its ultimate refinement during the golden age of the Abbasid dynasty in Baghdad, a key city on the borders of the Arab, Turkish and Persian worlds. Used by classical and popular musicians, it was not only favored by the local aristocracy in their music rooms, but also used at religious celebrations and Sufi ceremonies. Unusually, it is sung here by a woman accompanied an ensemble playing santur, a hammer dulcimer, and the four-stringed djoza.

-- review from CDroots

CD-Charts Position 6
Average Rating:

From Maghreb to Mashreq

CD-Charts > Music > Iraq
by: Various Artists

Release Date June 26, 2001
great compilation of arabian music from Morocco,Algeria,Tunisia,Egypt,Lebanon,Syria,Iraq,Kuwait,Qatar,Yemen and United Arab Emirates...The ideal Christmas gift for G.W.Bush to open up his mind to foreing culture.

CD-Charts Position 7
Average Rating:

Deep Soul: New Tarab

CD-Charts > Music > Iraq
by: Various Artists

Release Date January 01, 2002
great compilation of arabian music from Morocco,Algeria,Tunisia,Egypt,Lebanon,Syria,Iraq,Kuwait,Qatar,Yemen and United Arab Emirates...The ideal Christmas gift for G.W.Bush to open up his mind to foreing culture.

CD-Charts Position 8
Average Rating:

Silan

CD-Charts > Music > Iraq
by: Yair Dalal & Al Ol Ensemble

Release Date July 25, 2006
great compilation of arabian music from Morocco,Algeria,Tunisia,Egypt,Lebanon,Syria,Iraq,Kuwait,Qatar,Yemen and United Arab Emirates...The ideal Christmas gift for G.W.Bush to open up his mind to foreing culture.

CD-Charts Position 9
Average Rating:

The Perfume Road

CD-Charts > Music > Iraq
by: Yair Dalal & the Al Ol Ensemble

Release Date July 25, 2006
great compilation of arabian music from Morocco,Algeria,Tunisia,Egypt,Lebanon,Syria,Iraq,Kuwait,Qatar,Yemen and United Arab Emirates...The ideal Christmas gift for G.W.Bush to open up his mind to foreing culture.

CD-Charts Position 10
Average Rating:

The Impossible Love (Al Hob Al Mustaheel)

CD-Charts > Music > Iraq
by: Kazem Al Saher

Release Date October 17, 2000
Kazem A-Saher is one of the few young singers who continues the great tradition of Arab music, of Abdelwahab, Farid, Um Koulthum and others.
While he does not sound like them, his music is rich, diverse and soulful. Each song is interesting in its own way, and both the vocals and the instruments are at a high level. I recommend this, and other Cd's by him, to anyone who wants to listen to great contemporary Arab music.