Modern Bellydance from Lebanon

Bashir Abdel 'Aal (nay, kawala) and Mazin Abu Sayf (accordion, piano, keyboards, sequencer) present an album of great, traditional Lebanese bellydance pieces. There's almost one hour of modern, lively and upbeat music here - all excellent to dance (or listen) to.

Bashir Abdel 'Aal was born in Damascus, Syria, into a family of musicians. His father was a virtuoso of the quanoon (Arabic zither) in Egypt and his brothers are all accomplished musicians: Aboud, Mounir and Fouad are virtuoso violinists and Nabil plays guitar and bass.

After moving to Beirut, Lebanon, Bashir quickly became known throughout the Middle East for his virtuoso flute playing both in orchestras as well as accompanying some of the most famous Middle Eastern artists such as Farid Al Atrash, Fouad Mohammed, Mohammed Abdul Wahab, Abdul Halim Hafiz and others.

In 1977 he moved to England, settling in London, and has since become renowned as one of the finest exponents of the nay. He has played on countless film and TV scores and even for rock artist Jimmy Page & Robert Plant on their 'No Quarter: Unledded' album (Bashir played in the famous "Kashmir session".) He has also toured with the group 'Nara' with Abdullah Chhadeh and musicians from many nations working together on musical projects.