This CD is third in a series produced by Nourhan Sharif and the Egyptian Academy of Dance. In this instructional CD, Karim performs the complex rhythms extracted from the classical Arabic vocal tradition of Muwashahaat (Andalusian poems put to music) and adapts them for dance. Karim verbalizes each rhythm, performs them at 3 speeds, and follows up with a classic song example that uses each rhythm. Karim provides a full and dynamic sound with Arabic Tabla, Riqq, Segat, Dhola and Bassdrum. By introducing rhythms like Samai, 'Awis, Aqsaq and Muhajjar, Karim seeks to expand the dancer's vocabulary and rhythmic repertoire.

Turbo Tabla is a hybrid of Arab and Turkish traditional music, bolstered by Techno, Hip Hop and House grooves. Producer, DJ, Dancer and Drummer Karim Nagi re-records classic songs with live musicians and authentic instruments (Oud, Nay, Clarinet, Buzuq, Qanun, Arabic Tabla and Riqq) while expanding the sound with Electronic music. This CD features performances by great Arab and Armenian musicians like Bassam Saba, Mal Barsamian, Jamal Sinnu, Saeed Khoury and singers Albert Agha and Hayet Ayad. This CD was a pioneer in the Arab Techno category, and has been choreographed to by numerous dancers in North America, Latin America and Europe.

This CD features the solos and accompaniments of Karim Nagi, an accomplished Riqq (Arab Tambourine) player, band leader and event producer originally from Egypt. This CD is a collection of live performances from concerts produced by Karim. The tracks feature some of the strongest Artists in America including the Sharq Ensemble, Yousseff Kassab, Alan Shavarsh Bardezbanian, Abdul-Wahhab Kayyali, George Ziadeh, and Karim's PanEastern Ensemble (which includes Arab, Turkish, Chinese, Indian and Iranian musicians and singers). This CD also features some of Karim's signature Riqq solos, and his intuitive accompaniment style. Song styles include classical Arabic Adwar, Muwashahaat, Samaiaat, Longaat and Armenian Folk.

The SHARQ Arabic Music Ensemble is composed of Arab Americans. The group specializes in traditional Arabic music, as it was performed for hundreds of years in the royal courts, art houses and concert halls of past Arabic kingdoms. SHARQ maintains this lost tradition and renews it with the vitality of modern musical acumen, perspective and expertise.

SHARQ was founded in 1998 by Egyptian percussionist Karim Nagi. In 2002 the ensemble added Syrian oudist and musical arranger Kareem Roustom. The ensemble has performed all over the USA in concert halls and festivals. The SHARQ Arabic Music Ensemble is dedicated to preserving and presenting traditional and classical Arabic vocal and instrumental music. Their repertoire is one that is rarely played by even the most dedicated professionals in the Arab world. SHARQ chooses vocal and instrumental pieces that illustrate the rich and buoyant possibilities of the genre, without fixating on the popular or commercial versions. SHARQ seeks to share this heritage through concerts and verbal presentations.

Karim Nagi / riqq
Kareem Roustom / oud
Aboud Agha / vocals
Hanna Khoury / violin
Jamal Sinno / qanun
Boujemaa Razgui / nay

This fourth CD in a series created by Nourhan Sharif was created for drummers and dancers alike. The goal is to show the great variety and diversity found among the different regions, countries, and genres of the Arab world. This recording introduces rhythms from five major geographic regions of Arab world: the Gulf "Khaligi" (Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman, Kuwait, and the Emirates), Egypt "Masri", North Africa (Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia), Iraq, and the Levant or Arab East (Lebanon, Palestine, Syria and Jordan). Do to time restraints, only two rhythms from each of these five regions are provided, as each region could easily fill an entire CD or more by itself. (Unfortunately, the continental African-Arab countries like Sudan, Somalia and Mauritania are not covered.) Several genres are covered, such as rhythms for vocal music (Sowt, Jurjuna), rhythms for group line dance (Dabkaat and Chobie), rhythms for spiritual rituals (Hadari) and rhythms for wedding ceremonies (Zaffa). When listening to this recording, you will begin to experience many concepts in Arab rhythm found in varying degrees, such as syncopation, swing, and polyrhythm (especially among the Gulf and North African samples). By using strong drumming with the Riqq, Tabla, Dhola, Duff, Bendir, and Karakab, each rhythm is given the strong propulsion necessary to create song and dance routines, as well as simply for practice. This CD will demonstrate both the diversity and unity among the beautiful rhythms found within this huge array of countries united by the same language and culture.

Rhythm Examples Include:
-GULF "Khaligi" (Adani 4/4, Sowt 8/4)
-EGYPT "Masri" (Bambi 8/4, Zaffa 4/4)
-NORTH AFRICAN "Maghrebi" (Moroccan Shaabi 6/8, Hadari 4/4)
-IRAQ "Iraqi" (Jurjuna 10/8, Chobie 4/4 and 6/4)
-LEVANT "Dabkaat" (Malfuf for Dabka 6/4, Maksoum for Dabka 12/4)

The Tabla,also known as the Doumbek and Darabuka,is an ancient instrument of the Arab World, and is rarely absent from any celebration. This goblet-shaped drum is used folk, popular and classical music throughout the Middle East and neighboring countries. Many around the world are drawn to this captivating instrument. With Rhythms of the Arab World Volume 1, world-renowned percussionist Karim Nagi will teach you the essential technique and rhythms so you can be playing with live bands, drum circles and dancers.

Karim Nagi is a native Egyptian teacher and performer of Arab music and dance. He is an internationally known percussionist who specializes is the Egyptian Tabla (a.k.a. Doumbek,Darabuka),the Riqq (tambourine),as well as frame drums and finger cymbals. His projects include the internationally sold Turbo Tabla CDs,the ultra traditional Sharq Ensemble, and his Arab Dance Seminar. His appearances include New England Conservatory, Yale University, The Kennedy Center, and the Egyptian Cultural Bureau. For more information on Karim Nagi,visit www.karimnagi.com

Chapters
1. Posture
2. Sounds: Dum, Tak, Ka, Sak, Is,
3. Technique Exercises
4. Switching Between Rhythms
5. Basic Ornaments
6. Rolls
7. Ayyoub
8. Masmudi
9. Maqsum
10. Malfuf
11. Wahda
12. Saidi
13. Sudasi
14. Saudi
15. Bonus Performance
16. Bloopers

The Tabla, also known as the Doumbek, is an ancient instrument of the Arab World, and is rarely absent from any celebration. This goblet-shaped drum is used folk, popular and classical music throughout the Middle East and neighboring countries. Many around the world are drawn to this captivating instrument. In Rhythms of the Arab World Volume 2, Karim Nagi builds upon the material in Volume 1 and takes you to the next level with challenging rhythms and essential insight on performing with a bellydancer. Karim Nagi is a native Egyptian teacher and performer of Arab music and dance. Running time: 100 min.

Karim Nagi is a native Egyptian musician and an accomplished performer and teacher of the RIQQ (Arab Tambourine). In this DVD Karim provides a detailed and vivid 2 hours of instruction. Karim explains proper technique, performs rhythms, and demonstrates how to accompany other musicians. Karim guides the student from the very beginning with grip and tone generation, all the way through advanced techniques and rhythms. This pure Arabic technique and style can be effectively applied to general Middle Eastern, Mediterranean and Medieval European styles and music. The RIQQ is a versatile instrument with endless possibilities for color and expression. This DVD is the first definitive video tool that presents this unique instrument in its original, authentic usage and method for all levels. lessons by chapter include:
[1] Introduction - the system and approach to playing the traditional Arab style and method.
[2] Open position- a.k.a. 'Cabaret style' using cymbals (ayyub, masmudi & malfuf).
[3] Closed position a.k.a. 'Classical style' using skin (ayyub, masmudi & malfuf).
[4] Loud position- rhythmic shaking and rocking for an energetic volume and pace.
[5] Switching positions - going between each position seamlessly, to follow the music.
[6] Rhythm examples - from the simple to the complex: (wahda, york, muhaggar and more).
[7] Accompaniment - samai, andalusian, and qudud with oudist & singer Baha' Agha.
[8] Solo by Karim Nagi.