Brothers of the Baladi
Heart of the Beast
BLD - CD6
7 86426 - 0006 - 2 5
June 1998
Brothers of the Baladi and Baladi Productions are pleased to announce the release of a new CD titled Heart of the Beast. This 15 song collection reflects the band's turn to electric and eclectic World Music with an ever present interest in the Middle East. There are dramatic twists that begin with the title track - Heart of the Beast - mixing funky American grooves with Arabic melodies played on the mizmar, a double reeded folk horn. Michael Beach, bandleader and drummer/percussionist, sings about the world's fascination, obsession, focus and dependence on the Middle East since the beginning of time. The lyrics are heavy and very timely considering the situation with the World and the Middle East now and in the future. The chorus rings out amid both Western and Middle Eastern sounds " Black blood pumps from the Heart of the Beast the whole world hopes on the Middle East - black blood pumps from the Heart of the Beast all eyes on the Middle East ."
Other Middle Eastern favorites - Gamil Gamel, Bir Demet Yasemen, Gole Sangiem, Tren Gelir and Olmaz Olmaz [sung in both the traditional languages and English so we can all understand the lyrics] are also treated with both Eastern and Western instruments, emotions and grooves.
The Brothers feature several new original songs. Beach's Separation, J.M. Kearsey's Haunted House [with vocals from special guest Duffy Bishop] and Geoff George's Cut Diamonds and Wiseman all add to the spice of their worldly sound.
" The sound of mizmars, accordion and violins and the rhythms of Rock, Ska and funk collide on this 15 song disc. . . electrified folk songs from Turkey, the Arab World, Iran and Yorkshire: a pinch of the Blues, Reggae, Latin and Afro Pop and a tweaked version of the Yardbird's 1966 classic Over Under Sideways Down. "
[ Los Angeles Times]
" Heart of the Beast beats with passion, skill and admirable inclusiveness."
[ Oregonian - Portland, Oregon]
" A hot pulsing Middle Eastern beat for a Jah Wobble-esque sound. . .evoking Belly Dancers in opium dens. "
Anodyne
Portland, Oregon
Heart of the Beast is distributed by Burnside Distribution 503/231-0876
Check out the artist's website:
http://www.baladi.comTrack List:
1. Heart of the Beast
2. Flower of Stone
3. Over Under Sideways Down
4. Love My Love
5. Cut Diamonds
6. Separation
7. Marie Don't Want Me
8. Bir Demet Yasemen
9. Haunted House
10. Gamil Gamel
11. Where Does the Wiseman Go ?
12. Country Boy
13. Pushin Shoes
14. Train Song/Tren Gelir
15. Olmaz Olmaz
Other Genres:
