Music Recommendations
This list does not represent all the belly dance music I own, it is simply a sampling to give you an idea of where to start in your quest for music for your dance practice. Most of these are available for purchase on Amazon as a CD or from iTunes as a download.
Individual Songs used in Class
(song names are hyperlinks that will take you to Amazon)
If you have a song I have used in class and you want to know what it is, just ask and I'll add it to the list.
Aahat Intermediate rectangular veil choreography
Beledi 4:4 by Solace - this is the song I use to teach playing beledi on zills
Chifte-Telli 8:4 by Solace - this is the song we use to drill chiftetelli zills, it is also the song I use for Intermediate warm up with 3s
Chicky by Oojami - this is the song we use for 4/4 time shimmy drills (hip lift, shoulder, hip twist, etc)
Dere Dere (Turkish Folkloric) by the Brothers of Baladi - this is a slow karsilama rhythm song
Do It Again (Extended Mix) by the Chemical Brothers - this is the fast song I use sometimes for group improv
Dream by Sonny Lester and His Orchestra - advanced feather fan choreography
Fallahi by Guy Schalom - an example of the 2/4 rhythm fallahi we learn about in beginner. Sometimes used for beginner group improv.
Fellahin / Karachi / Ayoub by David Macejka - this is the song we use to drill 3/4 shimmies - the point where it slowly speeds up is at about 30 seconds
Hoplanda - the intermediate skirt number - is not currently available for download - it is on the CD listed below How to Make your Husband a Sultan
Masmoudi 8:4 by Solace - this is the song we use to drill 5s and 7s on the zills, it is also one of the songs I use for group improv in beginner (and advanced when we are adding zills)
Masmoudi Kebir 3 Dums by Guy Schalom - an example of a variation of the masmoudi rhythm where there are 3 dums at the beginning instead of 2. Often used when beginners perform group improv.
Queen Saidi by Misson to Mars - this is the song I often use to drill Saidi rhythm on zills
Objection (Tango) by Shakira - Latin fusion advanced choreography
Oh Om - by Galactic Caravan - advanced rectangular veil choreography
Saidi - the intermediate cane choreography
Shimmy, Shimmy, Ko-Ko-Bop by Little Anthony and the Imperials - advanced choreography
Simarik by Tarkan - this is the "kiss kiss" song - there are several version on this page, pick the one you like
Sudan by Solace - intermediate rectangular veil choreography
Summer Solstice - on the CD listed below "Soulstice" by Labyrinth - advanced gypsy fusion choreography
Tabla Solo 2 by Issam Houshan - advanced drum solo - is not available for download and I haven't found it on a CD for purchase by itself. It is on the companion CD when you purchase the DVD Bellydance - The Art of the Drum Solo
Tomzara - this is the karsilama rhythm song I usually use for drilling karsilama zills
Two Gypsies by Solace - advanced Tambourine choreography
Warda by Warda - advanced half circular veil choreography
Zar Dance (Ayyub) 2:4 by Solace - this is another song that speeds up slowly and works well for 3/4 shimmy practice
Zeina - intermediate half circular veil choreography
Alternative/Tribal Fusion
Ashas by Solace Purchase from Amazon
Balance by Solace Purchase from Amazon
Gathering Season by Solace Purchase from Amazon
Iman by Solace
Le Serpent Rouge Purchase from Amazon
Moon Moth Mixes by Solace Purchase from Amazon
Nagari by Solace Purchase from Amazon
Satya by Solace Purchase from Amazon
Sawdust by Pentaphobe Purchase from Amazon
Shawaza by Solace Purchase from Amazon
Tribal Belly Dance Music by Children of Paradise Purchase from Amazon
Tribal Metamorphosis by Pentaphobe Purchase from Amazon
Vadalna by Solace Purchase from Amazon
Drumming
Armando Malfufo – 25 Essential Rhythms by Uncle Malfufo Purchase from Amazon
Belly Dance Rhythm Identification by Suhaila Salimpour
Drum Attack by Tony Chouman
Naked by Raquy and the Cavemen Purchase from Amazon
Poi For Gadje by David Macejka Purchase from Amazon
Rhythm of the Dance by Solace Purchase from Amazon
Rhythms and Drums by Leyla Jouvana & Roland
Rhythms and Thoughts by Scott Gardner Purchase from Amazon
Sabla Tolo by Hossam Ramzy Purchase from Amazon
Sabla Tolo 2 by Hossam Ramzy Purchase from Amazon
Tabla Tastic by Guy Schalom Purchase from Amazon
Classic Belly Dance Music
Alla Turca (Turkish) Purchase from Amazon
Cairo Classics (Egyptian)
Greek Bellydance Music (Greek)
How to Make Your Husband a Sultan (Turkish) Purchase at Amazon - this is the CD with Hoplanda, intermediate skirt number
Tribute to Om Kalsoum (Egyptian)
Compilations – the best place to start as you get a wide variety of styles
Arabic Groove Purchase from Amazon
Belly Dance Fantasy
Belly Dance Oasis
Belly Dance Super Stars Purchase from Amazon
Belly Dance Super Stars Volume 2 Purchase from Amazon
Belly Dance Super Stars Volume 3 Purchase from Amazon
Belly Dance Super Stars Volume 4 Purchase from Amazon
Bellylicious Purchase from Amazon
Bellylicious 2
Desert Roses Purchase from Amazon
Essential Bellydance
Middle Eastern Pop
Aacayipsin
Ah W Noss
Aktar Wahed
Ay sahit
Karma
Koko Yoross
Tamally Maak
Tarkan
Modern Sounds
The Belly and the Beat by Turbo Tabla Purchase from Amazon
Bellydance Overdrive by Turbo Tabla
Bellydancing Breakbeats by Oojami
Boom Shinga Ling by Oojami
Galactic Caravan Purchase from Amazon
Intergalactic Bellydance Purchase from Amazon
Urban Dervish by Oojami
Spanish Rom Fusion Music
(Albums where some of the songs are Spanish Rom sounding)
Children Of Paradise by Children of Paradise
Desert Nights by Desert Knights
Jitano and the Desert Profits
Quest by Gypsy Caravan
Soulstice by Labyrinth an independent band and CD, wonderful music - this is the CD that has the advanced Rom fusion choreography on it
Traditional Sounds Modern Music
Desert Passage
Dust
Eternal Egypt by Phil Thornton & Hossam Ramzy Purchase from Amazon
Immortal Egypt by Phil Thornton & Hossam Ramzy Purchase from Amazon
Jordan
Mario Kirlis Junto A Saida
Mischief
Serpents Garden by Mosavo Purchase from Amazon
Vintage (50s and 60s)
The Art of Belly Dancing by George Abdo Purchase from Amazon
Belly Dancing with George Abdo Purchase from Amazon
Joy of Bellydance by George Abdo Purchase from Amazon
Magic of Bellydance by George Abdo Purchase at Amazon
A Night at the Casbah by Eddie "the Sheik" Kochak
Silver Anniversary Album by Eddie "the Sheik" Kochak