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many of the artistes listed below - from DJs to solo darbucka players to orchestras - perform regularly in public and/or are available for private parties - contact them direct for details

ABDELKADER SAADOUN (left) - "The Algerian King of Rock 'n' Rai, artist, singer, DJ, drummer, promoter & producer", "The Abdelkader Saadoun Rai Band will rock any stage & is guaranteed to blow your mind!", a rich sound from accomplished musicians, just back from an overseas tour, currently recording his new album & performing with the Berakah Project

BALADI BLUES ENSEMBLE - "Israeli-born percussionist, dancer & independent record producer Guy Schalom (see below) unites two of Egypt's most renowned master musicians: Ahmed El Saidi, who shot to fame as saxophone player with the Nubian groups of Ali Hassan Kuban, Shams Hussein & Salamat; & Gamal El Kordi, a key figure in the development of Egyptian Baladi music & accordionist for the legendary Farid El Atrache, who has accompanied the greatest Egyptian dancers including Samia Gamal & Zeinat Helwi.  Combining fiery Arabic percussion solos, soulful, intricately woven accordion & saxophone improvisations with a charming & enigmatic stage presence, the Baladi Blues Ensemble takes Egyptian Baladi to new heights!"

CELLOMAN (right) - "Celloman, now a 6-piece band, performs extensively around the UK (including festivals such as Glastonbury & Womad) & overseas.  The sound is a blend of Middle Eastern & African rhythms, eastern & western classically inspired melodies, hypnotic harmonies & driving bass & drums."  Celloman's Ivan Hussey creates live loops on electric cello to produce a lushious sound just perfect for belly dancers, look out for the new album 'Sharptown' 

EL ANDULUS - "London's leading exponents of classical Arab-Andulus music.  El Andulus is lead by oud player Yazid Fentazi, accompanied by world class darbucka player Karim Dellali & the acrobatic pyrotechnics of violinist Frank Biddulph.  The trio is regularly expanded to a quarted by the addition of Algerian bassist extraordinaire Hamid Bouri.  El Andulus onstage take us on a memorable musical journey from southern Spain via Algeria to the very edges of the Sahara." more details soon ...

FANTAZIA (left) - "Fantazia, a multi-cultural band from Algeria & Hackney, play a breathtakingly rootsy blend of gnawa, chaabi & dance which draws on the vibrant rhythms & rich musical tradition of north Africa.  Fantazia's irresistable grooves create a sizzling party atmosphere that soon has any audience on its feet & dancing."  The band has appeared on TV & radio, & performs regularly at festivals & gigs worldwide

FORTY THIEVES ORKESTRA - "A dastardly infusion of eastern melodies & sultry London beats.  Forty Thieves Orkestra creates a unique sound with influences ranging from klezmer, gypsy & belly dancing music to hip hop, King Tubby-style reggae & the laid back bar grooves of Kruder & Dorfmeister.  Clarinet, violins, accordion, cello, brass, oud & percussion interweave with earthy samples, crisp beats, evocative atmospheric sounds & studio trickery." 

GUY SCHALOM (right) - "Best known for his work with the Klezmer Alliance, the Klezmatics, David Krakauer & Egyptian stars Natacha Atlas, the Musicians of the Nile & Mahmoud Fadl, Guy's new band is the Baladi Blues Ensemble (see above). As a solo darbuka player & band leader, Guy brings the very best of Egyptian music to UK & European audiences.  Guy works regularly with Arabic dancers.  A percussionist, dancer & independent record producer, Guy is also co-artistic director of Egyptian dance & music company Raqs Wa Musica Al Masraya.  His latest CD, Baladi Blues, features legendary accordionist Sheik Taha & saxophonist Ahmed Al Saiidi."  "Schalom has just the right touch" (All About Jazz), “Absolutely spot on” (fROOTS), “A deep sense of understanding and flair” (YaD Arts)

HOSSAM RAMZY (left) - "Born in Cairo, Hossam Ramzy was given his first Egyptian tabla at the age of 3.  He mastered his craft studying under leading Cairo music teachers, & later with Bedouin tribes in Saudi Arabia.  Hossam came to the UK in the 1970s & enjoyed great success as a jazz drummer before returning to the thrilling rhythms of the middle east.  Hossam incorporated all his rhythmic experience into creating a new sound that is heard on hundreds of world leading albums today."  Hossam has toured worldwide with household names for whom he continues to play & record - from Led Zeppelin to Cheb Khaled, from Peter Gabriel to Tarkan - with distinctive Arabic & north African string arrangements as well as percussion.  He has produced two dozen of his own albums & is the top selling artist with ARC Music.  Hossam can arrange for performances from a wealth of world class Arabic musicians & belly dancers, including his enchanting wife Serena

KAMEL NITRATE - "Nominated for BBC World Music Awards in 2003 & 2004, & hailed by Andy Kershaw as the future of world music, Kamel Nitrate are pushing the boundaries of global dance fusion to another level.  They take global breakbeat funk mixed with the grooves & textures of the middle east, Asia & the Mediterranean, tripped out Bollywood sounds from India to Budapest, & sexy, swinging discotek to create a unique & exhilarating sound.  Featuring the sensual & shimmering Belly-Wood stylings of belly dancer Scarlet Sahara, their live shows are guaranteed to fire the imagination & set the feet alight!"  

NATACHA ATLAS (right) - international superstar singer, song writer & belly dancer based in north London

NITIN SAWHNEY - 2006 BBC World Music Awards winner, "Multi-talented British Asian artist whose contemporary style uniquely melds the barriers between cultures & music. Apart from his award winning recordings, his remarkable career includes scripting Goodness Gracious Me, producing Cirque du Soleil & Cheb Mami, mixing for Sting, writing film scores & lecturing for the Open University."

NUMAN ELYER (left) - "Numan is a Turkish multi-percussionist. His main instrument is the darbuka, although he is proficient in many others. Numan is one of the pioneers of the new ‘all-finger’ style of darbuka playing & is fast gaining a reputation for himself in the UK.  As well as performing, he is a session player & teaches."  Numan provides accompaniment for belly dance teachers & has produced percussion CDs for drummers & belly dancers

OOJAMI - "one of the best musical hybrids from London", Necmi Cavli & Oojami, third album Boom Shinga Ling (right) released by Miles Copeland (of Belly Dance Superstars fame) in December 2006 to rave reviews, "an impressive, energising release that puts the fun back into 'world' music" (Observer Music Monthly).  Oojami tours worldwide, playing at private gigs & festivals (including Glastonbury & WOMAD), played a session on Andy Kershaw's BBC radio world music programme, & first album Bellydancing Breakbeats was featured in the film Dirty Pretty Things      

SALAM AL SHEIKH (left) - darbucka player with residencies at several London restaurants, provides accompaniment for belly dance teachers, contact details coming soon ...

SHANKS - darbucka & Swiss hang maestro, details coming soon ...

TIM GARSIDE (right) - "Brilliant tabla & ney soloist. He was the first British musician to tour internationally with Hossam Ramzy's Egytian band & has played with the BBC Symphony Orchestra, Transglobal Underground, Cheb Mami, Hakim & for many years with Natacha Atlas.  He has also played for broadcasts by Andy Kershaw, John Peel & Jools Holland."  Tim has several excellent CDs for sale.

TRANSGLOBAL UNDERGROUND - "London-based multi-cultural collective who, in blending electronica, dub, hip hop & funk with Indian, African & middle eastern musical forms, were significant role models for today's world music phenomenon"

ZINGHA RABHI - Tunisian drummer & percussionist ... more details to follow!

ZOHAR - more details soon ...

 

DJs ...

DJ AIDAN LOVE (of the Forty Thieves Orkestra above) - "playing a mixture of Balkan brass, rousing gypsy numbers, klezmer, Turkish & north African, sometimes folky & traditional, sometimes more dancefloor contemprary"

DJ AK09 - more details soon ...

ALI SLIMANI - Algerian DJ, vocalist & percussionist, more details soon ...

DJ AMAR - more details soon ...

DJ APOLLO FLO - more details soon ...

DJ CAN - Turkish, Arabic & world music DJ for parties & weddings, DJ Can runs regular party nights in London & can also provide live music, sound system hire & belly dancers, venue finding, party planning & full events management

DJ CELIL - more details soon ... 

DJ KADER (see details under ABDELKADER SAADOUN above)

DJ KAPPA - more details soon ...

DJ KARIM (right) - Algerian percussionist & DJ Karim Dellali, "has played with Joi, Oojami & Trevor Watts Moire Music & is very active as a DJ.  He has always surrounded himself with both north African & western music", is the regular DJ at Darbucka world music bar, "& is also associated with the excellent Camberwell club the Couscous Lounge"

DJ KAT - more details soon ...

DJ LEON PARKER - London belly beats DJ, "hosts world music, belly dance & visuals nights at the Escape Bar & Art Cafe (Herne Hill SE24) plus gypsy music sets at the Ritzy Cafe Bar (Brixton SW2)"

MAZAJ SOUND SYSTEM - available for DJ sets & live performances

DJ MEMATI - more details soon ...

DJ NECMI (see details under OOJAMI above)

DJ SLY - more details soon ...